The Spring Statement by Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, focuses on boosting housebuilding and delivering 1.3 million homes over the next five years, with reforms to the planning system and a £600 million investment in construction skills. The industry remains cautiously optimistic, with key stakeholders welcoming reforms and additional funding, while also expressing concerns about market uncertainty and the need for a long-term strategy.

Construction companies are increasingly demanding housing associations share the risk of unsold units, as the real estate market faces a prolonged downturn, leading to rising unsold units and liquidity crises. This shift is particularly evident in regional areas outside of Seoul, where construction companies are seeking to mitigate their financial risks. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that the number of unsold dwellings nationwide increased by 3.5% in January, reaching 72,624 units, with 22,872 classified as malignant, the highest in 11 years.

Girish Sodani and Rajesh Bhosale offered investment advice on various stocks including Tech Mahindra, Indian Hotels, SAIL, Piramal Pharma, and others on NDTV Profit's Ask Profit show. They recommended buying certain stocks like Piramal Pharma, Ashiana Housing, Laurus Labs, and Tech Mahindra, while advising to hold or sell others like Indian Hotels and KPI Green.

The Housing Ombudsman has reported that most landlords experienced positive improvements after changing their data systems, following a report that highlighted widespread record-keeping problems in the sector. The report, based on a review of more than 50 landlords, found that poor data management was causing significant issues for residents. Recommendations from the original report have led to changes such as automated appointment reminders and the creation of 'data owners' at board level. The follow-up report showed a significant reduction in issues accessing information and a high percentage of landlords reporting positive improvements after system changes.

The cost of residential construction has surged by 3.4% over the 12 months to December, marking the largest annual increase since September 2023. CoreLogic's Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) highlights the challenges faced by the construction industry, including compressed profit margins, labor shortages, and a shrinking construction pipeline. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows new dwelling commencements at 10-year lows, with 2,832 construction companies becoming insolvent in the 2023-2024 Financial Year. Despite deflation in new dwelling purchases due to builder discounts, labor costs remain a significant driver of overall cost increases. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) warns of a critical shortage of skilled workers, which could impede the federal government's target of building 1.2 million new homes over five years.