Anna Clarke
@annaclarke.bsky.social
Policy and Public Affairs at The Housing Forum. Interested in UK housing policy, planning, economics, housebuilding, energy, social policy. Views are my own. Cambridge based. https://housingforum.org.uk/
Details of this now out - and it does indeed look like very good news - Government has listened to concerns and I don't think they really meant add £25k to cost of a new home, via massive taxes on the rubble and topsoil which is removed and then used to fill a former quarry!
November 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Details of this now out - and it does indeed look like very good news - Government has listened to concerns and I don't think they really meant add £25k to cost of a new home, via massive taxes on the rubble and topsoil which is removed and then used to fill a former quarry!
Social landlords will be disappointed not to get the details of rent convergence today - the sector was hoping to be allowed to increase below-target rents at up to £3 a week, but will have to wait until January to find out if this is allowed.
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Social landlords will be disappointed not to get the details of rent convergence today - the sector was hoping to be allowed to increase below-target rents at up to £3 a week, but will have to wait until January to find out if this is allowed.
Appears the OBR put their budget response it up online too early in error - whoops!
November 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Appears the OBR put their budget response it up online too early in error - whoops!
Cutting electricity costs would also help households in fuel poverty, who are much more likely to be using direct electric heating. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e51e...
November 26, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Cutting electricity costs would also help households in fuel poverty, who are much more likely to be using direct electric heating. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e51e...
Agree that wider council tax revaluation is needed. But if they want to focus just on £2m+ homes, as has been reported, focusing just on bands F-H looks a sufficiently wide net to me. Out of 470 properties currently on Rightmove in Walthamstow, not one is over £2m.
November 26, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Agree that wider council tax revaluation is needed. But if they want to focus just on £2m+ homes, as has been reported, focusing just on bands F-H looks a sufficiently wide net to me. Out of 470 properties currently on Rightmove in Walthamstow, not one is over £2m.
Just checked, and I don't think they are. 470 properties in Walthamstow currently listed on Rightmove, and zero of them over £2m.
November 26, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Just checked, and I don't think they are. 470 properties in Walthamstow currently listed on Rightmove, and zero of them over £2m.
What might we see in the budget for housing? Here's my personal list of what seems likely, possibly and unlikely.
November 25, 2025 at 1:52 PM
What might we see in the budget for housing? Here's my personal list of what seems likely, possibly and unlikely.
More details of the funding for air to air heat pumps here: www.gov.uk/government/c...
November 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
More details of the funding for air to air heat pumps here: www.gov.uk/government/c...
NI is not a private pension pot. It doesn't cover the cost of the state pension. It's just tax. www.pensionspolicyinstitute.org.uk/media/1crf4o...
November 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
NI is not a private pension pot. It doesn't cover the cost of the state pension. It's just tax. www.pensionspolicyinstitute.org.uk/media/1crf4o...
Couldn't agree more with Crisis here that "the solution to homelessness is housing". But acquiring housing that already exists doesn't create more homes. It just changes the landlord.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Couldn't agree more with Crisis here that "the solution to homelessness is housing". But acquiring housing that already exists doesn't create more homes. It just changes the landlord.
What are people's thoughts on this paper setting out a case for government grant on hybrid heat pumps? They're saying the heat pump can do 94% of the heat, but the gas backup helps in very cold weather.
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
November 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What are people's thoughts on this paper setting out a case for government grant on hybrid heat pumps? They're saying the heat pump can do 94% of the heat, but the gas backup helps in very cold weather.
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
Their own report on their schemes suggests that landlords are largely oblivious I would say ("have not permeated greatly into their respective areas".....)
October 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Their own report on their schemes suggests that landlords are largely oblivious I would say ("have not permeated greatly into their respective areas".....)
"Not yet permeated greatly into their respective areas" - I would read as "most landlords know nothing about the scheme and haven't registered" tbh
October 30, 2025 at 11:10 AM
"Not yet permeated greatly into their respective areas" - I would read as "most landlords know nothing about the scheme and haven't registered" tbh
There's a hint that they are looking to close the "spark gap", to make it cheaper to run heat pumps. Obvious way to do this would be by moving the levies that are on electricity bills onto gas bills or general taxation. Details should be out v soon in the Warm Homes Plan (promised in October).
October 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
There's a hint that they are looking to close the "spark gap", to make it cheaper to run heat pumps. Obvious way to do this would be by moving the levies that are on electricity bills onto gas bills or general taxation. Details should be out v soon in the Warm Homes Plan (promised in October).
The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan also says there will be a consultation on the role of hydrogen in home heating - though doesn't sound very optimistic about this being commercially viable any time soon:
October 30, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan also says there will be a consultation on the role of hydrogen in home heating - though doesn't sound very optimistic about this being commercially viable any time soon:
The Government's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was published yesterday. Confirms for the first time that the Future Homes Standard has been delayed - it was initially due to start in 2025, but still isn't published, and seems rollout is now from 2027. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The Government's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was published yesterday. Confirms for the first time that the Future Homes Standard has been delayed - it was initially due to start in 2025, but still isn't published, and seems rollout is now from 2027. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
Definitely true! hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
October 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Definitely true! hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...
By the 2010s the PRS was growing rapidly, and increasing numbers of families and others were renting privately long term, not from choice but because they couldn't afford to buy and social housing waiting lists were long/ indefinite for many.
October 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
By the 2010s the PRS was growing rapidly, and increasing numbers of families and others were renting privately long term, not from choice but because they couldn't afford to buy and social housing waiting lists were long/ indefinite for many.
You've only repeated half the announcement there though haven't you?
October 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
You've only repeated half the announcement there though haven't you?
Construction costs went up by more like 50% in just two years (2021-23)
October 15, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Construction costs went up by more like 50% in just two years (2021-23)
I think you're splitting hairs as to whether it's an above-ground tunnel or a structure. This is what it looks like:
October 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I think you're splitting hairs as to whether it's an above-ground tunnel or a structure. This is what it looks like:
So Farage wants to scrap double council tax on second homes - a policy that's been working well to raise more money for councils and also free up more homes for locals. And instead ban new homes from being sold to anyone not already local - a policy shown to grind housebuilding to virtually zero?
October 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
So Farage wants to scrap double council tax on second homes - a policy that's been working well to raise more money for councils and also free up more homes for locals. And instead ban new homes from being sold to anyone not already local - a policy shown to grind housebuilding to virtually zero?
I was poorer when I was younger, but the price of alcohol definitely deterred me from drinking then in a way it doesn't now. Just looked it up and the tax has fallen in real terms, which will be part of the reason drink is now cheaper.
October 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I was poorer when I was younger, but the price of alcohol definitely deterred me from drinking then in a way it doesn't now. Just looked it up and the tax has fallen in real terms, which will be part of the reason drink is now cheaper.
A possible unintended consequence of the ban on bidding wars here:
1) Landlords advertise higher rents, expecting probably to let for a bit less.
2) Data is published on advertised rents showing they've risen sharply.
3) Other landlords see the data and put their rents up too.
1) Landlords advertise higher rents, expecting probably to let for a bit less.
2) Data is published on advertised rents showing they've risen sharply.
3) Other landlords see the data and put their rents up too.
October 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A possible unintended consequence of the ban on bidding wars here:
1) Landlords advertise higher rents, expecting probably to let for a bit less.
2) Data is published on advertised rents showing they've risen sharply.
3) Other landlords see the data and put their rents up too.
1) Landlords advertise higher rents, expecting probably to let for a bit less.
2) Data is published on advertised rents showing they've risen sharply.
3) Other landlords see the data and put their rents up too.