Claudia Preedy

Demand for care homes in the UK is strong and rising, driven by an ageing population, longer life expectancy and more complex health needs. As of 2025, there are 17,088 care homes providing just under 550,000 bed spaces. Construction contract awards increased from about £416m in 2021 to £1,034m in 2025, and 2024/25 saw a … Read more

The UK residential kitchen and bathroom worktops market continues to face economic pressures in 2026, but it is expected to shift towards a more sustainable growth path in the medium term. As economic conditions stabilise, household confidence in undertaking “big-ticket” home improvement projects, such as kitchen upgrades, is anticipated to rise. While recent economic uncertainty … Read more

The UK commercial catering equipment market, valued at approximately £988 million in 2025, representing moderate growth of 2% on the previous year. The sector has faced challenging market conditions in recent years, primarily influenced by subdued economic growth, reduced consumer spending, and intensified competitive pressures that have affected profitability. Despite ongoing market challenges, market prospects … Read more

As the UK grapples with a significant housing crisis and escalating demand for affordable homes, could the construction industry be poised for transformation through innovation? Among several emerging trends, industrialised construction may provide part of the solution, capable of enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and addressing the urgent need for new social housing. The need for … Read more

The latest Social Housing New Build Market Report from Barbour ABI explores the challenges of the social housing shortage. 2025 has been a difficult year for the social housing new build sector. In the first three quarters alone, contractor output fell by around 10% compared with the same period last year. This decline is not … Read more

The UK gas and electricity construction market is undergoing a significant transformation as we transition towards a cleaner energy future. This change is driven by ambitious government targets aimed at ensuring that at least 95% of electricity generation comes from low-carbon sources by 2030, along with policies designed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. … Read more