12/5/2020 update

The Housing Secretary set out the government’s plan to re-start housing market.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick announced that the government has launched a ‘Safe Working Charter’ with The Home Builders Federation, enabling home builders to return to work safely.

1/5/2020 update

Our Chief Executive Nick Walkley told Estates Gazette about how we are engaging with the industry to inform our strategic response to COVID-19.

You can read the article here via LinkedIn.

The piece was originally published by Estates Gazette online on 24th April 2020 and in print on 30th April 2020.

We have released information for Help to Buy: Equity Loan customers during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We understand that coronavirus (COVID-19) is worrying and that things still feel very uncertain. There are many questions about what coronavirus means for Help to Buy: Equity Loan customers and we aim to answer some of these on our Information for Help to Buy: Equity Loan customers during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions Page

15/4/20 update

Homes England ramps up development pipeline to support the housing market

We have acquired 19 sites in the last financial year worth £180 million, with the capacity for 5,000 new homes across the country.

We’re taking a long-term view of housing demand to develop a strong pipeline of projects to support the recovery of the housebuilding sector from COVID-19.

You can read our full press release here

8/4/20 update

Homes England End of Year Statement from Nick Walkley

At this unusual and challenging time for us all, our Chief Executive, Nick Walkley has made a statement on the end of the financial year 2019/2020.

For Homes England, it’s a moment to reflect on what we have achieved with partners across the housing sector and remember how much can be achieved by working creatively in partnership.

You can read Nick’s full statement here

17/3/20 update

Changes to Homes England’s ways of working

Following guidance from the Prime Minister to avoid non-essential travel, from 17th March 2020 we will be working remotely as an organisation with staff working from home until further notice.

As part of business continuity protocols, we have been thoroughly testing our technology & are confident we can continue to operate fully. We have also withdrawn from upcoming conferences & other business engagements.

As an outward-facing national agency, we are taking these steps to protect both our staff & partners & are grateful for everybody’s continued support.

We are determined to support the government at this time. The most important contribution we can make is to continue working with our partners to complete transactions & continue building the pipeline to support housebuilding.

Contact information

Colleagues will be contacting partners regards current business priorities. If you need to speak to us, contact us on:

We will be providing updates on any further operational changes but our clear message at this time is Homes England is fully operational & determined to continue doing business.

We wish you and your organisation well. Please do get in touch if we can be of assistance.

Goods exports from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland increased in 2019, according to new figures published today (Tuesday 17 March) by HMRC.

• England grew 2.0% to £254.0bn
• Scotland grew 4.4% to £33.6bn
• Wales grew 3.0% to £17.7bn
• Northern Ireland grew 2.2% to £9.1bn

Demand for UK goods is increasingly coming from countries outside the EU bloc.

In 2019, the number of businesses exporting goods from the UK to the world totalled 160,400, an increase of 2.6% on 2018.

Notes to editors: All figures quoted are for 2019. [Source: HMRC Regional Trade Statistics: Q4 2019]

The Parole Board is continuing to carry out planned hearings at this time. Members of the Parole Board have been provided with updated guidance to ensure the wellbeing of everyone in the parole system is the top priority.

We are continuing to keep a close eye on government advice and are looking into ways to continue to fulfil our workload.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating Bottomline Technology’s completed purchase of the Experian Payments Gateway (EPG) business from Experian Limited.

Bottomline and EPG provide payments software used by businesses to submit direct debits, make payroll payments and pay suppliers. This software allows customers of both companies to make payments via the Bacs and Faster Payments Direct Corporate Access systems.

After completing its initial Phase 1 investigation, the CMA was concerned that the merger may reduce competition, leading to increased prices, reduced product availability, or reduced investment in innovation. As such, the deal was referred to an in-depth Phase 2 probe.

Following this further analysis, carried out by an independent group of panel members, the CMA announced in February that it had provisionally found the deal would not negatively impact competition.

This is largely because EPG was no longer a strong force in the market and that, following the deal, there remains enough alternative companies competing with Bottomline for customers. The CMA also looked in detail at the possibility that, under alternative ownership, EPG would have become a more active competitor than it was before the merger, but determined that this was not the case.

Having consulted on this provisional finding, the CMA has now confirmed clearance of the deal.

For more information, visit the Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc / Experian Limited merger inquiry case page.