Completions up but sales slow in first half of the year, housebuilder reports
Bellway’s chief executive has said the government needs to help out first-time buyers in order to kickstart the stagnant housing sector.
The Help to Buy scheme ended nearly three years ago, having closed to new applicants in October 2022.
It allowed first-time buyers to buy a new-build home with a 5% deposit supported by a government equity loan of 20% of the purchase price which rose to 40% in London.
In a trading update this morning, Bellway boss Jason Honeyman said: “We welcome the government’s reforms to the planning system.
“However, to make meaningful headway against its ambitious housing targets, the government must also make an early commitment to ease demand-side pressures by introducing essential financial support for first-time buyers.”
Honeyman was speaking as the housebuilder said completions had risen at Bellway in the first half.
The latest figures, published this morning in a trading update, show the group built 4,702 homes in the six months to 31 January 2026. This was up from 4,577 in the equivalent period the year prior.
Bellway also confirmed it was on track to deliver a full year output of around 9,200 homes, which would again be an increase on last year’s 8,749.
In line with previous guidance, the group said it was on track to deliver full year volume output of around 9,200 homes, up from 8,749 last time.
Honeyman said the firm was “well-placed to meet our targeted growth in volume output” despite the “current industry headwinds” and said he was confident about increased cash generation and shareholder returns “in FY26 and beyond”.
The firm will publish its interim results on 24 March.
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