New Start Magazine

As extreme heat becomes more frequent, the poorest workers cannot afford to stay home, while wealthier residents cut back on travel and social mixing declines A study tracking 13 million people across Spain has uncovered clear inequalities in how different groups respond to extreme heat, with the poorest residents continuing to commute and work even on the hottest days while wealthier populations cut back on travel and discretionary activities.

The UK government has announced up to £20m in funding for regions across England and Wales to support local innovation and economic growth. The investment is part of the £500m Local Innovation Partnerships Fund and follows earlier backing for the Tay City Region in Scotland. Several areas will benefit from the latest round of funding, including the South West of England. Investment will focus on developing and testing technologies, such as drones operating on land, at sea and in the air.

The number of coroners’ reports warning that action could be taken to prevent future deaths of people experiencing homelessness has surged by more than 250% in recent years, according to new research from the University of Bristol.

The social housing sector is facing continued financial pressure despite operating in its most stable policy and funding environment in nearly 20 years, according to a new report from Housemark. The 2026 housing sector finance analysis suggests that while uncertainty has eased, landlords are still grappling with rising costs and limited capacity to deliver new homes and services.

A new investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that while the government’s shared ownership scheme helps thousands onto the housing ladder, many buyers are left vulnerable to unexpected costs and complex redress routes due to persistent gaps in information and oversight. The report found that shared ownership, under which buyers purchase a stake in a property and pay rent on the remainder—has grown significantly, with 20,353 new homes delivered in 2024-25.

A damning new report published today by Green Party London Assembly Member Zoë Garbett reveals that estate ‘regeneration’ schemes across the capital continue to drive worsening living conditions, displacement and a lack of democratic control The report, titled ‘Left to rot’: Is estate regeneration still failing Londoners?, draws on visits to estates, testimony from residents, and research from campaign groups.

The government has launched a £165 million fund to accelerate stalled housing and employment developments across England by improving critical transport links. The Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund, which will open for applications in the coming weeks, targets sites where progress has been hindered by funding constraints. By bridging gaps for necessary transport infrastructure, the initiative aims to enable thousands of new homes and jobs to move forward.

Rushcliffe Borough Council has taken a step forward in its plans for a major housing development on land east of Gamston and north of Tollerton. The site, allocated in the 2014 Rushcliffe Local Plan Part 1, is expected to deliver around 4,000 homes, employment land, open space, schools, a local centre, and associated infrastructure.

The Building Safety Act is not the only barrier to building upwards,’ Chris Hemmings of Carter Jonas explains, so what needs to change to unlock delivery? The word ‘density’ is increasingly used in the context of planning and development. In places with the greatest need for new homes, land is scarce, boundaries are tight and opportunities to expand outwards are limited. In those circumstances, building more homes almost inevitably means building more densely.

The homelessness charity is calling for a legally binding target to end homelessness as temporary accommodation numbers reach record levels. Crisis, a leading homelessness charity, has launched a manifesto for a legally binding target to end homelessness in Scotland by 2040. The not-for-profit is urging political parties to back its three-point plan.