Forecast

Construction activity to fall significantly in 2026
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The CPA’s forecast for construction output has been downgraded further in its Summer forecast, published today, due to the lagged impacts of the Middle East conflict that are starting to pass through to both the demand and cost sides of the UK economy. Construction output year-to-date so far in 2026...
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CPA Director predicts a gradual recovery for UK housing in 2026


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The UK housing market looks set for another challenging year, but the Construction Products Association (CPA) is forecasting modest growth in both newbuild and repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) activity through 2026, albeit from an extremely low base. Speaking at the Timber Development UK Global Market Conference, Professor Noble Francis,...
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Steady progress for timber frame amid structural challenges


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The final session of the 2025 Timber Development UK Global Market Conference turned its attention to timber frame housing, with Andrew Orriss, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association (STA), presenting an update on capacity, demand, and the outlook for 2026. His analysis, followed by a discussion with Professor Noble...
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EUDR
Looking ahead to 2026
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UK construction is forecast to edge back into growth, with housing leading demand and timber playing a central role. But this recovery remains fragile, with high costs, planning delays, and political uncertainty still threatening momentum, according to new forecasts from Glenigan and the Construction Products Association. The UK construction industry...
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UK timber imports dip slightly, with engineered wood showing strong growth
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Timber and panel product imports saw a slight decrease in volumes during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show. Total imports reached 4.76 million m³ in the first six months of 2025, down 2.9% from 4.90 million...
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Liz Truss lettuce
Spring Statement highlights ‘difficult decisions’ the UK faces to boost housing
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Housebuilding over the next five years will fail to meet the government's 1.5 million new home pledge, according to the latest Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures. Instead, the OBR says around 1.3 million net additional dwellings will be built, meaning the government will fail to meet its target by around...
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Waste Wood Market Report highlights demand for waste wood
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The Wood Recyclers' Association has published the Winter 2024/25 Edition of its Waste Wood Market Report. The report highlights the current high demand for waste wood in line with seasonal trends, along with forecasts that the market won't be as tight this winter as it was in the previous year,...
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CPA Construction Industry Forecast Autumn 2024
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Construction output is forecast to fall by 2.9% in 2024 but coming towards the end of the year, and then rise by 2.5% in 2025, which is slightly more positive than expected three months ago.
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Partial construction recovery expected to begin next year
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At the Global Market Conference, putting the timber sector in context with the rest of the construction industry was Allan Willen, Economics Director at Glenigan. "The UK economy, property markets and construction industry have all been buffeted by successive economic shocks resulting from Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine...
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Falls in private housing and rm&i activity drives downgrade in CPA Forecast
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With private new housing and repair, maintenance and improvement (rm&i) to see double-digit falls this year, there will be a sharp 7.0% decline in construction output in 2023, according to the CPA's Summer Forecast. Amidst a flatlining UK economy, falling real wages, and mortgage rates now expected to continue rising...
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