The roofs over our heads
22 Feb 2024
At the end of February, the CMA will publish its final findings following a year-long market study into the housebuilding sector. In this report, DRD Associate Toby Chapman examines what is anticipated in the regulator’s report, and how it is likely to signal further uncertainty and political turbulence for the sector.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched its market study into the housebuilding sector almost a year ago, and is required to announce its final findings next week (Tuesday 27th February).
Its interim findings signalled the regulator does not have major concerns about the competitiveness of the industry at the national level. However, this is by no means the full picture. The CMA will want to look more closely at the data on local markets, and the sheer breadth of the study’s scope leaves significant room for long term scrutiny, especially on the potential impact of complicated planning regulations and delays in construction. The report also coincides with news of a £2.5 billion merger between two of the largest developers in the industry, which itself will have to be cleared by the CMA.
In this report, DRD Associate Toby Chapman examines what is anticipated in the report, and how it signals further uncertainty and turbulence for the sector, against the backdrop of increasingly political reactions from the Government, and a buoyant Labour Party with radical planning reforms at the top of its agenda.
For the full report, please click here.