UK and Ireland housing construction trends

In the second quarter of 2026, Ireland reported a sharp rise in new‑home completions, with 8,823 dwellings finished between April and June – the strongest first‑half pace since 2008 and an 11% year‑on‑year increase overall. By contrast, the United Kingdom saw a decline in new‑home registrations, falling 4% from a year earlier, though London experienced a notable surge.

A week later, UK construction activity showed a modest rebound. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recorded a net workload balance of –4% in Q2, an improvement from –12% in Q1, driven largely by strong performance in infrastructure sectors such as energy (+39%) and water (+23%). Private housing remained the weakest segment but improved to a –12% balance, better than the –19% recorded in Q1. In Wales, overall activity rose modestly, with private housebuilding workloads up 13%. Persistent challenges included skills shortages, regulatory barriers, and broader supply constraints across both countries.