British housebuilder, FTSE 250 constituent
Pay growth has cooled in early 2026 as inflation pressures from energy prices persist. BoE watchers note slower wage deals, while housebuilders warn profits will fall amid higher costs driven by the Middle East conflict. Retail, travel, and housing sectors are all feeling the pinch as uncertainty lingers.
Britain’s biggest housebuilders are facing a multibillion-pound class-action lawsuit after accusations they colluded on pricing, harming more than 700,000 buyers of new-build homes between 2015 and 2026. The claim seeks up to £4.5bn in compensation, with per-home payments estimated at £3,100-£6,200. The Competition Appeal Tribunal must approve the case before it proceeds.