The external environment

The second half of 2021/22 has seen a significant change in several external market factors affecting our business and the wider UK economy, which will continue into 2022/23 and beyond.

In this section

External market trends

In depth: Solving the housing crisis

Our stakeholders

External market trends

Increased inflation

The rise in inflation since the summer of 2021 has gone from being a transitory issue to one that looks likely to be around for some time.

Buoyant employment market

Linked to a more buoyant jobs market, we’ve seen an increase in colleague turnover which we expect to continue during 2022/23.

Demand for new homes

There remains a strong demand for the shared ownership properties we’re selling and, in the short-term, we don’t expect this to change.

Building safety

The Building Safety Bill will ensure a much greater focus in building safety, with a new regulator created to monitor compliance.

Health and social care

The 2022 Health and Social Care Act will be key to delivering a more joined up and integrated approach between health and social care.

Environmental focus

The increased cost of gas and electricity in the last year highlights the need for homes across the country to be more energy efficient.

In depth

Solving the housing crisis

Longhurst Group is proud to have worked with the CIH and ITN Productions to produce ‘Solving the Housing Crisis’, a film exploring the issues around the housing crisis and featuring the organisations, people and communities tackling the problem.

Our stakeholders

Building and maintaining strong and effective working relationships is key to the delivery of our strategic objectives.

We’re committed to working collaboratively and openly with all our stakeholder groups.

Here we show who our stakeholders are, why they are important to us and what they can expect from us.

Customers and communities

Our customers are our tenants, leaseholders and home purchasers.

Our people

Our people includes existing colleagues, pensioners and future recruits.

Partners

Our partners include Homes England, other housing associations, local authorities, MPs, joint venture partners and other community organisations and charities.

Suppliers and contractors

Our suppliers and contractors include development contractors, repairs contracts, service providers and supply chain.

Trade bodies

Includes the NHF representing all Registered Providers, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and National Care Forum (NCF).

Banks, investors and rating agencies

Includes banks, Moody’s and institutional investors.

Regulators

Includes the Regulator of Social Housing, Housing Ombudsman, the Care Quality Commission, MPs and local authorities.

Longhurst Group Ltd is a charitable housing association registered in England as a community benefit society (Reg. No. 8009) and registered with the Regulator of Social Housing (No. L4277).

Registered Office: 1 Crown Court, Crown Way, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 6BS. VAT Reg No. 326 0270 36. A member of the National Housing Federation.