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£10 Billion For Social & Affordable Housing Just before the August
Bank Holiday, the MHCLG and Homes England announced the first round of funds to successful bidders under the latest Social and
Affordable Housing Programme. At the Spending Review in June 2025, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner MP obtained £39 billion from Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP for the SAHP that began on 1 April 2026. The aim is to build 300,000 affordable homes over this 10-year programme - with at least 60% of the homes for social rent. The remainder is for other tenures inc. shared ownership and sheltered housing. Homes England is the route for this money to be allocated via strategic partnerships to
registered social providers, housing associations and local councils. Bids were invited between February and April 2026. Last month’s
announcement is for £9.58 billion to be allocated to 33 strategic partners outside London to build 73,600 new social & affordable homes in England over the next 10 years. It is the first wave of funding with further allocations to follow in later years. The main difference between the Starmer and Burnham Government is the proportion that goes towards new council house-building. Mr Burnham and Ms Rayner want most (if not all) of this money to go on council houses. But this has drawn
The new Burnham Government
The ministerial reshuffle following Andy Burnham MP becoming Prime Minister saw an inevitable change in certain ministers that affect BMF interests, as follows:
Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade • Minister for Trade: Anas Sarwar, the former Glasgow MSP and Leader of Scottish Labour, was given a peerage and goes into the House of Lords. He is responsible for steel tariffs & quota; • Minister for Construction: Blair McDougall MP was re- assigned to be Minister for
Re-Industrialisation and is now the construction minister. He has specific responsibility for materials, minerals, supply chains and industrial decarbonisation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government • Housing & Planning Minister: Matthew Pennycook MP stays in post. • Minister for Building Safety, Fire & Resilience (inc. construction product regulations): Baroness Blake of Leeds was appointed.
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs • Minister for Water & Flooding: Emma Hardy MP stays in post and also takes over responsibility for the circular economy (inc. waste & recycling).
September 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
criticism from county councils and other local authorities. They expected concern that this funding was largely awarded to major towns & cities - with rural and coastal districts missing out. For BMF members, this is welcome news although it will take time for contracts to be awarded and work to begin on- site. You can see the waves of the 33 successful bids, the funds earmarked and the number of homes to be built here:
•
https://www.gov. uk/government/news/ homes-england-and- government-confirm-strategic- partners-set-to-help-deliver- once-in-a-generation-increase- in-social-and-affordable- homes-across-englan
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero • Minister for Local Energy & Jobs: Martin McCluskey MP stays in post and now handles the Warm Homes Plan; clean heat & heat networks; and smart meters. • Minister for Energy Consumers: newly-appointed Polly Billington MP handles fuel poverty; consumer protection & standards; energy bills’ support schemes; and heating oil.
This means that - since the July 2024 General Election - in the junior ministerial ranks, we have seen:
1 Housing Minister 2 Water & Waste Ministers 3 Construction Ministers 3 Trade Ministers
4 Building Safety Ministers Turbulence at Westminster and in Whitehall is not good if we are to “Get Britain Building Again”. And it makes it much harder for the BMF in lobbying on your behalf.
Could your business be saving more?
With continued pressure on margins, rising operating costs and businesses looking for practical ways to work more efficiently, finding savings has become a priority across the building materials supply chain. For many businesses, however, reducing costs is not simply about cutting expenditure, but about making smarter decisions, improving efficiency and ensuring that existing suppliers, services and business relationships are delivering as much value as possible.
The BMF’s Business Services webinars are designed to provide BMF members with an opportunity to hear directly from trusted industry partners and discover practical ways to reduce costs, improve business efficiency and access additional benefits available through their BMF membership.
The webinars provide a straightforward way for BMF members to access that expertise, ask questions and understand how available services could apply to their own businesses.
The focus is on real-world challenges and potential solutions that businesses can take away based on relevant case studies and the needs of the webinar attendees. • The Intercity Webinar on September 10, focusing on cloud and security, will explore how businesses can make better use of technology and the growing importance of cybersecurity. • The Alphagraphics Webinar on September 24 will look at print and marketing, and how these activities can be managed more effectively. • The One Voice webinar on 4th November will detail how the magazine is evolving in the digital age and the opportunities this will bring for members.
Each webinar is free for BMF members and provides expert advice, practical insights and exclusive member benefits. • Visit our website to see what’s coming up and book your place today:
https://www.bmf.org.uk/ v2/BMF2/Events/
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