Industry Insights
MATERIALS
MDF
Average wholesale price per cubic metre versus the same month last year, sourced from major UK importers via Think Timber's supplier network.
▲ +15.0%
vs same month last year
OAK
Average wholesale price per cubic metre versus the same month last year, sourced from major UK importers via Think Timber's supplier network.
▲ +10.0%
vs same month last year
PRIMED PINE
Average wholesale price per cubic metre versus the same month last year, sourced from major UK importers via Think Timber's supplier network.
▲ +8.5%
vs same month last year
CLEAR PINE
Average wholesale price per cubic metre versus the same month last year, sourced from major UK importers via Think Timber's supplier network.
▲ +11.7%
vs same month last year
LOGISTICS
SEA FREIGHT
Change in the average cost of shipping a container by sea from China to the UK. Updated monthly by Think Timber.
▲ +94.9%
Oct 2026 vs Oct 2025
BRENT CRUDE OIL
The European oil benchmark (North Sea Brent). Oil prices feed through to fuel and freight costs. Change shown against the price a year ago.
£84.58 ▲ +79.3%
vs last year
WTI CRUDE OIL
The North American oil benchmark (West Texas Intermediate). Tracked alongside Brent as a global oil price reference. Change shown against the price a year ago.
£77.66 ▲ +77.7%
vs last year
UK TRANSPORT CHARGES
How much UK road-haulage charges have moved compared with a year ago, from the official ONS services producer price index for road freight.
▲ +4.2%
vs Q3 2025
CURRENCY
GBP / EUR
Official daily exchange rate. A value of 1.35 means £1 buys 1.35 units of the other currency. Change shown against the rate a year ago.
1.1993 ▲ +5.6%
vs last year
GBP / USD
Official daily exchange rate. A value of 1.35 means £1 buys 1.35 units of the other currency. Change shown against the rate a year ago.
1.3399 ▲ +2.1%
vs last year
GBP / CNY
Official daily exchange rate. A value of 1.35 means £1 buys 1.35 units of the other currency. Change shown against the rate a year ago.
8.9141 ▼ -4.5%
vs last year
UK MARKET
INTEREST RATE
The UK's main policy interest rate, set by the Monetary Policy Committee. The arrow shows the direction of travel against twelve months ago.
3.75% ▼
vs 4.00% a year ago
UK BUSINESS ENERGY COST
A gauge of what energy costs UK businesses, tracked via the wholesale UK natural gas price at the National Balancing Point (pence per therm). A major overhead for manufacturing sites. Change shown against the price a year ago.
241.65p/therm ▲ +221.0%
vs last year
BUSINESS RATE MULTIPLIER
The multiplier used to calculate UK business rates (standard rate, for a rateable value of £51,000 to £499,999). A lower small-business multiplier of 43.2p applies below £51,000, and a higher one above £499,999. Set each April by HM Treasury. Change shown against the previous tax year.
48p ▼ -13.5%
vs 2025 to 2026
AVERAGE UK INCOME
Average weekly pay across Great Britain. Change shown against the same month last year.
£757 ▲ +3.1%
vs Aug 2025
UK LABOUR COSTS
How fast UK wage costs are rising year-on-year, adjusted for productivity. A broad gauge of wage inflation.
▲ +5.2%
vs Q1 2025
BUILDING DATA
HOUSE PRICES
Year-on-year change in the UK House Price Index. Compares the average sale price across all property types against twelve months earlier. Published monthly by HM Land Registry with a short reporting lag — a reading of 0% means prices are flat on the same month last year.
▲ +0.9%
vs same month last year
HOUSE STARTS
Quarterly new dwelling starts across the UK. A leading indicator of timber demand for construction. Change shown against the same quarter last year.
44,700 ▲ +14.2%
vs Apr - Jun 2025
HOUSE COMPLETIONS
Quarterly new dwellings completed across the UK. Finished homes ready to enter the market. Change shown against the same quarter last year.
44,870 – 0.0%
vs Apr - Jun 2025
TIMBER RUNDOWN
Sea freight costs from China to the UK rose 94.9% in October 2026 compared with October 2025, while Brent crude oil stood at £84.58 per barrel and WTI crude at £77.66 per barrel. UK transport charges increased 4.2% versus a year ago, as measured by the official road haulage price index in the third quarter of 2026.
Sterling bought 1.1993 euros, 1.3399 US dollars and 8.9141 Chinese yuan.
The Bank of England held its interest rate at 3.75%, effective 29th October 2026. Wholesale UK natural gas at the National Balancing Point reached 241.65 pence per therm, up 221% versus a year ago, the business rate multiplier stood at 0.480 standard (0.432 for small business) for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, average weekly UK income was £757 as of August 2026, and UK labour costs rose 5.2% year on year in the first quarter of 2026.
The average UK house price was £273,037 in August 2026, up 0.9% versus a year ago. New dwelling starts totalled 44,700 and completions reached 44,870 in the three months from April to June 2026.
Housebuilders
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