Barratt Redrow sells more homes despite ‘challenging’ market

Barratt Redrow has said it sold more homes in recent months but cautioned that demand next year could be impacted by the autumn Budget.

The UK’s biggest housebuilder called on the Government to support first-time buyers alongside updating investors on its recent trading.

The company completed the sale of 3,665 homes between July and late October, about 8% more than the same period last year.

However, it noted a slowdown in bookings compared with the prior year, indicating weaker confidence among potential buyers.

Barratt Redrow is still expecting to complete the sale of between 17,200 and 17,800 homes over the financial year.

But it said this performance was dependent on typical seasonal activity over the rest of 2025, and the impact of the upcoming Budget on demand.

It comes amid speculation that the Chancellor could make changes to property taxes in the Budget to help raise more money, as well as wider economic worries and a weakening jobs market affecting the sector.

Rachel Reeves declined in a speech on Tuesday to recommit to Labour’s manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, saying “we will all have to contribute”.

Barratt Redrow’s chief executive David Thomas said: “We have delivered a resilient performance over the period despite challenging market conditions and increased uncertainty ahead of the November Budget.

“In the long term, the fundamentals of UK housing demand are unchanged, and Barratt Redrow is uniquely well positioned with three strong consumer brands, a high quality land bank, and the financial strength to invest through the cycle.

“In the meantime, it is essential that Government policy continues to prioritise planning reform, removes barriers to investment and, crucially, supports homebuyers, especially first-time buyers, if the sector is to accelerate volumes to help meet the country’s housing needs.”

The developer called for Government action to support demand for homes, amid ongoing concerns about affordability among first-time buyers.

Oli Creasey, head of property research at Quilter Cheviot, said it “feels like a call for Help to Buy or similar to be brought back into the equation, and follows Barratt Redrow’s recent announcement of private Help to Buy-style loans”.

This refers to a new equity home loan product designed to help buyers with smaller deposits get a property.

Mr Creasey added that the move “may add further pressure on the UK Government to provide more direct support to the struggling sector”.