Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder of real estate finance specialist ASK Partners, has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to deliver urgent and decisive action in the Autumn Budget to restore confidence and stimulate growth in the housing market.

In an open letter to the Chancellor, Austin warns that the market is stagnating under the weight of speculation and uncertainty, with investors, developers, and homebuyers adopting a “wait and see” approach in response to mooted tax reforms – including the extension of National Insurance to landlords, a potential overhaul of capital gains tax, and replacing stamp duty with an annual property levy.

“Each policy under discussion may have fiscal merit,” Austin writes, “but they risk serious unintended consequences – from worsening supply and regional inequality to creating multibillion-pound revenue gaps.”

He argues that the uncertainty alone is paralysing activity – and without clarity, the fragile signs of recovery seen in recent house price and mortgage data could quickly fade.

The letter outlines seven key priorities for the Chancellor to consider this October:

Tax clarity – End speculation and ensure any reforms are phased, predictable and tied to supply-side incentives.

Support SME housebuilders – Restore the SME sector with planning support, small site access, and equity funding.

Fix the planning system – Remove political bottlenecks and fund private sector support to speed up approvals.

Tackle labour shortages – Back off-site construction to bring in younger, more diverse talent.

Revive social housing – Reform compulsory purchase to allow councils to deliver at real scale.

Accelerate brownfield delivery – Grant automatic planning for ESG-compliant regeneration projects.

Unlock investment – Rebuild investor confidence with clear, long-term frameworks for capital deployment.

“Housing has historically led the UK out of downturns,” says Austin. “The sector is ready to deliver – but we need credible, long-term policy, not short-term signals.”

He notes that the UK continues to fall well short of the 385,000 new homes per year needed to address affordability and economic growth – and calls for radical reform rather than reactive changes.

Messe Frankfurt is expanding its portfolio in the Central Asian market and, with the Intelligent Building Expo 2026, is organising its first-ever technical trade fair in Uzbekistan.

The new trade fair will take place in Tashkent from May 20 to 22, 2026. The areas included in its product portfolio are heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water supply; lighting and building automation; security technology; and IT security.

As Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt, emphasises: “With our strong trade fair brands ISH, Light + Building and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the leading events relating to integrated and smart building technology, security technology and fire protection in its portfolio.

“We are very pleased that the Intelligent Building Expo will now allow us to bring together selected product areas from all three of these trade fairs. The new format gives us the opportunity to meet the needs of the region and to expand our expertise in Central Asia.”

The Intelligent Building Expo showcases cutting-edge technologies in climate and water management, lighting, and security systems. Serving as a key meeting point for manufacturers, architects, engineers, and government representatives, it marks the eighth event that Messe Frankfurt has hosted in Uzbekistan, following successful exhibitions such as Automechanika Tashkent and Heimtextil Uzbekistan.

In partnership with Business Media Central Asia (BMCA), Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its presence in the region. BMCA, a regional leader, oversees Messe Frankfurt’s events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Uzbekistan has become one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with over 57,000 active companies, many of which are involved in construction and urban development. This rapid growth presents significant opportunities for international businesses offering solutions in energy efficiency, water management, and building security.

The European Union recently announced a €12 billion investment in energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity, further solidifying the country’s status as a key market for sustainable development.

The Bathroom Association has revealed Roca Group as the overall winner of its 2025 Sustainability Awards at the recent Connect Conference Gala Dinner. Roca Group was honoured for its Electric Kiln: Revolutionising Ceramic Production with Sustainability and Precision.

According to the Bathroom Association, this innovation represents a major step forward in the decarbonisation of ceramic manufacturing and sets new standards for energy efficiency, precision, and sustainable production methods. It is said to represent a world first in industrial ceramic manufacturing, as it enables high-precision temperature control, ensuring optimal firing conditions and consistently superior product quality. An intelligent energy management system dynamically adjusts energy input to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.

Rashpal Sidhu, managing director, Roca UK and Ireland, commented, “Roca Group has a global commitment to a greener future, and we’re enormously proud of the huge role our electric kiln is playing in that overall sustainability initiative. For this, then, to be recognised by our peers in these awards is absolutely fantastic, and I’d like to thank the Bathroom Association on behalf of everyone at Roca Group – we’re delighted.”

Bathroom Association Chief Executive Daphne Doody-Green praised the achievement, saying: “Roca Group’s Electric Kiln is a shining example of how our industry is rising to the challenge of climate change. It shows how bold ideas and technological innovation can transform traditional processes into sustainable solutions for the future.”

The judging panel noted the high calibre of entries across the board, with several submissions awarded commendations in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Finalists included Thomas Dudley Limited, Kohler Mira, Triton Showers, and eco-cistem™, all of whom showcased innovative projects said to make a tangible difference to water and energy efficiency.

The Connect Conference Gala Dinner brought together leaders and innovators from across the industry, celebrating not only the award winners but also the collective drive towards a greener, more sustainable future.

New homes in England could be fitted with mandatory water-saving showers and toilets under government proposals aimed at conserving water.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation seeking feedback on proposed changes to Building Regulations 2010, Part G.

It comes as five areas of the UK still battle drought. The Environment Agency has confirmed the UK experienced the driest March to July period since 1921 across central and north-east England, and that public water supply reservoir storage levels are still falling for most reported reservoirs.

The government states that the proposals would have a negligible impact on user experience, yet may reduce water usage by approximately 20 litres per person per day, resulting in a saving of £100 per year on household bills.

Additionally, the consultation examines the potential integration of water reuse systems in new developments to enhance water efficiency further.

Industry professionals, developers, housebuilders, and the public are encouraged to participate in the consultation, which remains open until December 16, 2025.