# UK and Ireland housing construction trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-and-ireland-housing-construction-trends > Updated: 2026-08-05T23:01:57.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: UK construction activity shows modest improvement amid ongoing challenges RICS reports UK construction workloads eased to a -4% net balance in Q2, with infrastructure improving and private housing still weak; Wales saw modest activity gains but worsening skills shortages. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-construction-activity-shows-modest-improvement-amid-ongoing-challenges ### 2026-07-30: Ireland and UK see mixed housing construction trends in Q2 2026 Ireland posted its strongest housing completions since 2008, while the UK saw a 4% drop in new‑home registrations in Q2 2026, reflecting cost pressures and regional disparities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-and-uk-see-mixed-housing-construction-trends-in-q2-2026 --- Cite as: UK and Ireland housing construction trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-and-ireland-housing-construction-trends