13 December:
Highlights include: Last Update of the year, HFS wishes a Merry Christmas to all our members, Scottish General Election update, Annual Lunch bookings now open, Grampian regional forum open for registration, 2019 Activity Report published, 2020 subscription notices issued, Improving housing rights for disabled people, 10,000 sign call for right to housing, message from VELUX, This week in Parliament, Next week in Parliament, The impact of vacant and derelict land, Homes with £1million price tag behind property boom, community ownership increasing, Mactaggart & Mickel home makeover
06 December:
Highlights include: HFS Annual Lunch & Awards, Fire safety guidance for high-rise homes, 'Housing to 2040' consultation published, Transforming planning, Scottish Water: development services customer portal update, Air quality to be disclosed when selling property in England & Wales, Last Board meeting of the year, Registers of Scotland releases house price statistics, downsizing trends, Robertson tree planting event, Taylor Wimpey donates bricks to trainee bricklayers, World's Big Sleep Out - good luck to all taking part!
29 November:
Highlights include: Evidence on LBTT subsidisation, General election announcements, 'Stay in Scotland' campaign, This week in Parliament, Next week in Parliament, Planning reform update, RTPI members in home building, message from VELUX, Savills Aberdeen and NE residential report now available to read, UK Finance published latest household data, UK Finance Scotland mortgage trends, SCDI Blueprint for the Scottish economy, MSP visit to Taylor Wimpey West development, Kingdom Housing Association wins coveted Green Apple award, STP place management workshop
22 November:
Highlights include: Small scale home builders report published, General election housing announcements, HFS welcomes new members, Help to Buy (Scotland) evaluation, Scottish Budget to be published after Christmas, This week in Parliament, Next week in Parliament, NHBC Standards 2020 now available online, voters care more about the environment than economy, UK Finance publishes its latest mortgage trends update, £1000 a month to rent average 2-bed home in Lothians, Savills publishes its Aberdeen and NE residential report, Rettie publishes Autumn/Winter market review. UK Finance's first conference on climate risk, green finance and sustainability, CALA launches bespoke training programme, Cruden Homes lends support to Aitkenhead primary school, Urban Union fosters STEM learning at local school
15 November:
Highlights include: Thank you for attending the HFS Annual Conference, Nicola Barclay interviewed on Radio Scotland, Scottish National Investment Bank update, Conference engagement, Cladding discussed in Parliament, Skills Development Scotland - regional skills assessments data matrix, Scottish Renewables calls for Government funding to support low carbon heating of homes, Message from VELUX, England sees +1m homes added over past 5 years, Scottish city growth, House prices in Scotland grow faster than the UK average, UK economy avoids recession, Business confidence falls, UK productivity growth at ten-year low, Scottish housing market activity falls, Energy Action Scotland Awards 2019
8 November:
Highlights include: Latest HFS insights bulletin published, Nicola Barclay writes in The Scotsman, 5 days until our Annual Conference, The World's Big Sleepout, Annual Lunch & Awards 2020, Labour pledges to build 120,000 houses, Attention RSL members: Scottish lobbying register, Social housing needs to be more energy efficient, World Town Planning Day, HFS member discount rate for land assets event, Government marks 'significant progress' on major infrastructure projects, Growth in affordable housing but still more to do, Millennials aren't to blame for generational wealth gap, Tenants think they are 'renters for life,' Developing the young workforce, Apprentices get into full-time employment, Wheatley graduate programme, Stewart Milne encourages young people to join the industry
1 November
Highlights include: 12 days until our Annual Conference, Awards congratulations, message from VELUX, Brexit deal impact study, Chief Executive meets with Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart attends our Planning Forum, Local government funding scrutiny, Scottish greenhouse gas emissions report, Short-term let regulations, Planning appeals round-up, Consumer code for home builders: monitoring advice published, CITB digital transformation project, Scottish housebuilders health and safety forum, "Funding the homes Scotland needs," Builders remain nervous about hiring due to continued political uncertainty, Central belt house sales buck UK trend, Consumer confidence drops, Output in construction sector fell 2.5% in Q2 2019, Avant Homes supports future talent, Taylor Wimpey joins forces with the British Heart Foundation, Cruden Homes West donates £1k to Shelter Scotland
25 October
Highlights include: HFS Annual Conference all speakers confirmed, MHCLG guidance on post-Brexit regulations on construction products, "Housing to 2040" update, Scottish Government First Time Buyer Pilot, "No Deal" Brexit housing shortage warning, 'No time to lose' to hit net zero climate target, Chief Executive to meet Derek Mackay, £3bn economic cost of Brexit uncertainty, 'Instagram-friendly' property a priority for first-time buyers, Scotland's population projections, UK Finance publishes latest household finance data, Lack of diversity in the construction industry, The Big Sleep Out, 2020 Habitat For Humanity build opportunities
18 October
Highlights include: Session transcript featuring evidence given by HFS Director of Policy Fionna Kell on the long term financial sustainability of local government, to the Scottish Parliament's Local Government & Communities Committee available, Changes to reasonable cost contributions for waste water pumping stations, Central heating boilers 'put climate change goals at risk, Stewart Milne timber systems scoop top industry award for Lovell's MoD project, Daylight makes us grow, House prices in scotland grow faster than UK average, Three-quarters of scots are concerned about money
11 October
Highlights include: Scottish Government publish "No Deal Planning Overview," Cabinet Secretary and Housing Minister write to housing stakeholders, World Homeless day reflections, Avant Homes and Social Bite Big Sleep Out, Derelict sites contribute to perceptions of urban decline, Sir David Attenborough calls for changes on planning of Scottish towns, New Scottish Government first time buyer initiative, Scottish Government evaluation of Help to Buy (Scotland), Building regulations and fire safety, cladding update, Construction innovation fundamental, New FTB scheme questions answered, workplace parking levy, Scottish budget announced for 12 December, HFS Annual Conference session one speakers confirmed, Kingdom recruits first staff through Naumann Initiative, Barratt Homes donate £1,000 to the Haven Centre, CALA North raising money for charity, Investigation finds austerity has priced Scots out of rental homes, Green space most important feature in new build
4 October
Highlights include: Proposal for new-build homes (buyer protection) (Scotland) Bill moves forward, Climate change top of planning agenda as reform work programme published, Planning and architecture division business plan 2019-2020, Cladding issued raised in Scottish Parliament, Herald Property Awards winners, BoKlock plans for 200 homes in Bristol, Benefits of a healthy indoor environment, CALA workers attend prostate cancer awareness event, £10,000 boost for Govan thanks to CCG, Brexit slump not affecting properties across Scotland
27 September
Highlights include: As minister warns of Brexit impact on housing HFS highlights domestic barriers that need to be addressed, New HFS LinkedIn page launched, HSE inspection initiative, Scottish Government's new Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detection Loan Scheme, Councillors invited to cut turf, Measure of owner occupiers' housing costs, NHBC Pride in the Job Awards
20 September
Highlights include: HFS published "Value of Residential Development" Report, State of the Economy report published, homes for the indoor generation, Scottish Housing Day, HFS Director of Policy Fionna Kell provid4r evidence on the long term financial sustainability of local government to the Scottish Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee, Barton Willmore planner undertook marathon swim in Loch Lomond, Barratt Homes East Scotland raises over £80,000 for charity, Scotland enjoying best housing market in over a decade, Downsizing snub as half of older brits refuse to move, 'Help to Buy' exposes government to 'significant financial risk' warn MPs, Inheriting the Earth
13 September
Highlights include: 90% of Scots satisfied with housing, Scottish Productivity Index launched, HFS welcome new members Carlton Group, Cloybank Estate, Edgehill Property Assets, Strathclyde Regional Forum, Cruden supports Scottish Housing day, Glasgow debate on the theme of housing as a human right, HFS responded to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee's call for views on the Consumer Scotland Bill, Scottish water facilitation process (vesting) review workshops, CIOB Issues new quality management code, Kingdom Housing Association celebrates 40th anniversary, Bellway apprenticeship, Inspiring city awards 2019, Stewart Milne homes charity ball raises £40,000, UK Finance publishes its latest Scottish lending trends figures, Institution of Civil Engineers' report analyses the relationship between housing and infrastructure, Scotland Development Conference, Future Planning Conference, Build to Rent Forum Scotland
6 September
Highlights include: FM announces new Programme for Government, What housing a human right really means, Gary Milne and Richard Jennings appointed to HFS Board, HFS Annual Conference Dereky Mackay confirmed as keynote speaker, Awards - are they worth it?, New HFS Regional Forums, New 2019 Technical handbooks + dissemination events, Programme for Government impacts, Scottish Parliament resumes, Spending Round, Labour "Right to Buy for private tenants", Halliday Fraser Munro on masterplanning, Cruden helps school refurb, Wheatley Programme creates almost 800 jobs and training places in first year, City of Edinburgh Council Building Standards Apprenticeships, No deal Brexit 'could hit house prices', Bathrooms take centre stage for home buyers, Scotland Development conference, Build to Rent Forum Scotland
30 August
Highlights include: HFS Annual Conference Derek Mackay confirmed as keynote speaker, HFS Awards sessions, Climate Emergency Response Group publishes action plan, New HFS Regional Forums, Enabling Development Group session, CBI Brexit Survey, SME builder survey, SME Brexit support grant reminder, Cost of Planning Act Duties could reach £59m, Transforming Construction - fudning opp, Survey on non-planning consents, Scottish Parliament returns, New Lib Dem MSP, Portfolio Questions next week, UK- wide industry engagement continues, Keepmoat supports 180 people into construction, MAB receives second royal seal of approval, Slight dip in new home numbers in July, Scottish house moves lowest in five years, Surge in Scotland's BTR sector, Scotland's property market reaches 11 year high, Mortgage approvals soaring
23 August
Highlights include: HFS Annual Conference, John Cassie ertires, Homeless housed in shipping containers, Tackling the UK Housing crisis: is supply the answer? National agency needed to enforce building standards, New HFS Regional Forums, CALA awards success, SME Brexit support grant, Consultation responses, SME builder survey, Route map to tackle vacant and derelict land, Survey on non-planning consents, Scottish Housing Day, CCG trade apprentices & 2020 vision, Britons indulge in surprise pre-Brexit spree, Alternative housing tenures briefing paper, Social Housing Scottish annual conference, Future Planning - Early Bird ends today
16 August
Highlights include: Strathclyde Regional Forum, FM calls for broader definition of success, HFS Policy Forum, SME Builder Survey, New SEPA measures on flood risk assessment, Challenges of inter-generational lending, 85% of British public say there's a housing crisis, Scottish house prices growing faster than UK, Mixed Signals for Scottish sales market, New Building Standards blog, Scottish Housing Day, Cruden Apprenticeships, Scottish Water annual consultative meeting
9 August
Highlights include: First HFS Regional Forum confirmed, HFS secures Living Wage accreditation, HFS policy forum on Housing to 2040, Survey on non-planning consents, First Minister launches Stirling district heat network, Scottish Water annual consultative meeting, Social Housing Scottish annual conference, One million more young adults live with parents, Eildon to trial modern construction methods, Cruden raises over £6000
2 August
Highlights include: Chief Planner letter, Policy consultations, Consumer Code Summer newsletter, Scottish Water facilitation process, Scottish Housing Day, HFS Awards 2019 - feedback session, Future planning - designing places in a climate emergency, CBI workshops, Highest new home registrations in 12 years, Scottish house prices plummet, Stewart Milne wins President's Award for Health & Safety excellence, NHBC Health & Safety Awards
26 July
Highlights include: Policy consultations, Building standards - 2019 changes, Planning application decision times, The World's Big Sleep Out, Cabinet reshuffle, Number of 40 year mortgages rockets, Mactaggart & Mickel donate £1,000 to children's play initiative
19 July
Highlights include: Small scale home builders project update, LBTT/ADS survey, Annual lunch speeches now available to watch, Minister outlines further work on planning reform, Scottish Labour leader highlights housing inequality, Scotland's average house price to rise by 14% by 2022, Mortgage trends, CALA student partnership award
12 July
Highlights include: Scottish Government publishes "Housing to 2040" vision, publication of HFS Awards 2019 Judges' Report, life after the Planning Bill blog, HFS Team update, conference sponsorship opportunities, Habitat for Humanity Kenya update, new buyer interest rises for first time in 2019, Wheatley named as UK's largest social housing builder
5 July
Highlights include: Construction report published by Economy Committee, Regional forums -survey for MDs, Monthly house price statistics, Smart home tech Brits expect to own in 5 years, homeowners stay put for 18.7 years, McTaggart launches community newsletter
28 June
Highlights include: Latest HFS Data Insights published, Million pound homes sales slow, Proposed new Homes Buyer Protection Bill, New Homes Ombudsman Consultation, Member messaging toolkit launching, Cruden wins hoarding competition, Pride in the Job Awards, Scottish Water vesting update, IKEA to enter UK home building market
21 June
Highlights include: Planning Bill and wider reform update, Member action required re Proposed New Homes Buyer Protection Bill , Latest Help to Buy info published, National Task Force for Human Rights Leadership, Mactaggart & Mickel P2 site visit
14 June
Highlights include: Housing completions at highest level since 2008, Help to Buy (England) progress review, Planning Bill and wider reform update, Scottish Planning Policy - views required, Planning restrictions cause wealth divide
07 June
Highlights include: Planning Bill update, Barratt apprentice best in Scotland, Edinburgh named UK's capital of congestion, Scottish Housing Day: Wed 18 September 2019, LBTT review, Scottish House Condition Survey
31 May
Highlights include: New member logo issued, Member action required re Proposed New Home Buyer Protection Bill, Scotland in 2050: realising our global potential, Planning update, NHBC New Home Registrations
24 May
Highlights include: HFS launches refreshed logo, Scottish Land Commission Advice published, Housing to 2040 response report published, Planning Bill Update, New housing and future construction skills report published, Building Scotland Fund invests £70m in housing projects, Springfield builds UK's first recycled road in a housing development, Annual Lunch & Awards round-up, Slow broadband could knock 25% off house values
10 May
Highlights include: Last day for Annual Lunch drinks orders, Good luck to all our Awards finalists, Next week is New Homes Week, Latest HFS policy responses available online, Retrofit 2019 - special members discount, Mental Health Awareness Week
3 May
Highlights include: Media Reports on fire safety of new build homes, First Minister announces new £150M scheme to support first time buyers, New Homes Week 2019, Daily Record Why Buy New Pullout, HFS Kenya Videos, CITB sets out solutions to skills shortages, Countdown on for Annual Lunch
26 April
Highlights include: MSP issues new-build homebuyers bill, Scottish Future's trust publishes 5 year plan, Over 80k raised for Habitat for Humanity, Countdown on for Annual Lunch, 40 year mortgages - the new normal? Intergenerational Fairness Report
19 April
Highlights include: Team HFS completes Kenya build, HFS Annual Lunch - last few tables remaining, Scottish Government announcements, UK Finance Mortgage update, Openreach New Homes Event
12 April
Highlights include: Team HFS working hard in Kenya, Chief Executive responds to calls to future-proof housing for global warming, HFS Annual Lunch - last few tables remaining, Free sprinkler seminar hosted by Bafsa and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
5 April
Highlights include: HFS welcomes Fionna Kell as new Director of Policy, Team HFS is Kenya-bound tomorrow!, Cabinet Secretary discussion highlighted, HFS Awards update - last few lunch tables available!, Holyrood committee to investigate problem of empty homes
29 March
Highlights include: Cabinet Secretary attends HFS Board, Five Star ratings announced, New Director of Policy starts on Tuesday, HFS Kenya build, HFS awards update, Annual Lunch - final tables remaining
22 March
Highlights include: HFS awards shortlist announced, Second HFS Data Insights Bulletin Published, Revsied Financial Memorandum for the Planning Bill published, Infrastructure Commission for Scotland - call for evidence, Persimmon announce homebuyer's retention, Openreach Future of Fibre Connectivity event, Annual Scottish Homes of the Future conference
15 March
Highlights include: Brexit business advice website launched by Scottish Government, Housing crisis requires growth across all tenures, warns HFS, Chancellor's housing announcements, Awards shortlisting takes place today, Changes to VAT application for Scottish Water RCC payment, Social Bite launches World's Big Sleep Out at EICC, Mental Health First Aid training, Daily Record "quality homes" supplement
8 March
Highlights include: Pro-growth, pro-business, pro-development declaration from Derek Mackay, Daily Record "quality homes" supplement, Scottish Apprenticeship Week, International Women's Day, Career perspectives, Residential market review 2018
1 March
Highlights include: Scottish Government meetings this week, Scottish Government Brexit survey, Scottish National Investment Bank, Party (conference) time!, Latest NHBC registration data, International Women's Day celebration event, Annual Lunch update
22 February
Highlights include: Aileen Campbell announced as Annual Lunch keynote speaker, Construction and Scotland's Economy Inquiry, Call for Brexit concerns ahead of Scottish Government meetings, Small Scale Home Builder Workshop, HFS Exective Team Assistant opportunity, Graduate Skills Survey, HFS team news
15 February
Highlights include: HFS Chair appointed to Infrastructure Commission, HFS Member Logo 2019, Construction and Scotland's Economy Inquiry, HFS internship opportunity, Countdown on for HFS Kenya Build, Mactaggart & Mickel new charity partnership to support care experienced
8 February
Highlights include: Member action required on Construction Inquiry, Parliamentary reception update, HNDA Guidance Change on Stakeholder Consultation, NHBC new home registrations 2018, School pupils to be taught construction skills, More home builders helping Habitat for Humanity, House price statistics - Q3 2018, Member feedback sought on new Data Insights Bulletin
1 February
Highlights include: Nicola Barclay celebrates three years as Chief Executive, Member action required on Construction inquiry, HFS questions focus of planning statistics, Awards close today!, Invite your MSP to our parliamentary reception, BBC Scotland spotlights housing design, Member feedback sought on new Data Insights bulletin, UK Government response on consumer redess, Homelessness statistics published
25 January
Highlights include: BBC report blames home builders to blame for housing shortage, One week to awards close, Invite your MSP to our parliamentary reception, Brexit, Graham's Diary decision overturned by Court of Session, Have you booked your Annual Lunch places?, Princess Royal Training Award workshop
18 January
Highlights include: Help to Buy update, Brexit, HFS Parliamentary Reception, 2019 member logo, Additional £100m for Scottish Growth Scheme, Annual Lunch places selling fast
11 January
Highlights include: HFS Chief Executive New Year Message, HFS Parliamentary Reception, Director of Planning included into RTPI General Assembly, Annual lunch open for bookings, Three weeks to submit your 2019 HFS Award Entries, Brexit concerns