National Housing Bank appoints consultancy for forecasting contract. News 15.06.26 3.00 PM by Alex Daniel The new National Housing Bank will get its economic forecasting services from the consultancy Oxford Economics, in an up to £440,000 contract award. The National Housing Bank is a subsidiary of Homes England (picture: Alamy) Sharelines National Housing Bank appoints consultancy for forecasting contract #UKhousing. Homes England, which the housing bank is part of, appointed the forecasting company this month, according to a government tender notice. The award means Oxford Economics will provide macroeconomic and housing reports for the UK, as well as regional and local authority-level data for the public body across England. The National Housing Bank launched on 1 April and will work with house builders, developers, investors and registered providers to deploy up to £16bn of debt, equity and guarantees. Headquartered in Leeds, it launched with a £100m partnership with Aviva. The venture's aim is to deliver up to 3,300 build-to-rent homes in underinvested areas of cities, including an initial 300 in Liverpool and Manchester. More widely, Homes England hopes the National Housing Bank will eventually leverage in £53bn of additional private investment over the next decade and deliver 500,000 new homes. It will target a range of sites, including larger ones that struggle to get upfront lending due to risk and complexity. The bank has also said it will work with mayors through Homes England's new regional model to strengthen its ability to work with partners. The Oxford Economics contract is the latest detail to emerge about how the National Housing Bank will run, after it revealed that its chief executive would be Simon Century, former chief investment officer at Homes England and former managing director at Legal & General. The forecasting contract runs until June 2027, with the option to extend as far as 2030. It was awarded following an open procurement process in which four tenders were received and assessed, the notice said. In February this year, the director of affordable housing at Homes England told Inside Housing how for-profit providers have received a "welcome boost" in the new grant programme, with recent changes increasing parity with not-for-profits. Amy Rees, chief executive of Homes England, said: "Both institutions have up to £46bn of capital to deploy over the next decade, including £27bn of social and affordable housing grant, a share of £5bn for land and infrastructure and up to £16bn of debt, equity and guarantees."

L&G Mortgage Club launches bridging finance academy. L G Mortgage Club has launched an academy to enhance bridging finance education for brokers, supported by major lenders. By David Sampson 8 June 2026 * - The L G Mortgage Club s new academy will support 250 brokers in gaining qualifications in bridging finance. * - this initiative aims to raise awareness and improve education in specialist lending. Legal & General Mortgage Club has launched a new academy aimed at enhancing knowledge in bridging finance and specialist lending. This initiative is significant as it will provide 250 Mortgage Club members with access to a free programme that combines recognised qualifications with practical insights from leading specialist lenders. What is the L&G Mortgage Club Academy? The L&G Mortgage Club Academy is a pioneering educational programme developed in collaboration with the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) and 11 specialist lenders. The academy will offer a blend of theoretical qualifications and hands-on learning experiences, focusing on bridging finance, which is becoming increasingly vital in the lending market. Who are the key sponsors and partners? Together is the headline sponsor for the inaugural year of the academy, alongside other notable supporters including Aldermore, Pepper Money, The Mortgage Lender, Bluestone Mortgages, InterBay, ModaMortgages, CHL Mortgages, Market Harborough Building Society, Paragon, Kensington Mortgages, and Vida Homeloans. This strong backing from established lenders highlights the importance of specialist finance education. What does this mean for brokers in bridging finance? For brokers, this academy represents an opportunity to deepen their expertise in bridging finance, an area that Clare Beardmore, director of mortgage club at L&G, describes as "advice-rich." By participating, brokers can enhance their service offerings, ultimately benefiting their clients who may require specialist lending solutions. The focus on practical learning from experienced lenders will also equip brokers with the skills to navigate complex lending scenarios effectively. What this means for borrowers and investors? For borrowers and investors, the launch of the L&G Mortgage Club Academy is promising. As brokers gain enhanced knowledge and qualifications in bridging finance, clients can expect more informed advice and tailored solutions. This could lead to improved access to specialist lending options, which are essential for those looking to finance property purchases or renovations that do not fit traditional lending criteria. For more information on bridging finance, check out its bridging finance guide. Frequently asked questions. What qualifications will brokers receive? Brokers participating in the academy will work towards gaining recognised qualifications that focus on bridging finance and specialist lending, enhancing their professional credentials. How will this academy impact the bridging finance market? The academy is expected to raise awareness and improve education in bridging finance, leading to more knowledgeable brokers who can better serve clients in need of specialist lending solutions. About David Sampson. David Sampson writes about the UK mortgage market for Mortgage118, covering specialist lending, market trends, and practical advice for borrowers. All content is reviewed for accuracy against FCA guidelines and current market data.