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.
▲ +15.4%
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 monthly cost of shipping by sea from China to the UK. Updated monthly by Think Timber.
▼ -10.4%
vs last year
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.
£66.22 ▲ +33.4%
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.
£62.23 ▲ +34.7%
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.
▲ +3.3%
vs Q2 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.
1.1687 ▲ +1.2%
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.
1.3504 ▲ +0.6%
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.
9.1078 ▼ -5.6%
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 4.25% 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.
149.72p/therm ▲ +85.9%
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.
£749 ▲ +3.5%
vs May 2025
UK LABOUR COSTS
How fast UK wage costs are rising year-on-year, adjusted for productivity. A broad gauge of wage inflation.
▲ +4.5%
vs Q4 2024
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.
▲ +2.7%
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.
40,770 ▲ +14.0%
vs Jan - Mar 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.
39,890 ▲ +2.7%
vs Jan - Mar 2025
TIMBER RUNDOWN
Sea freight costs from China to the UK stand 10.4% lower than a year ago, while Brent crude oil is priced at £66.22 per barrel and WTI crude at £62.23 per barrel. UK transport charges rose 3.3% versus a year ago, according to the official road-haulage price index for the second quarter of 2026.
Sterling buys 1.1687 euros, 1.3504 US dollars and 9.1078 Chinese yuan.
The Bank of England interest rate is 3.75%, effective 10th August 2026. Wholesale UK natural gas at the National Balancing Point is 149.72 pence per therm, up 85.9% versus a year ago, the business rate multiplier is 0.480 standard (0.432 for small business) for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, average UK income stands at £749 per week as of May 2026, and labour costs rose 4.5% year on year as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
The average UK house price is £271,295, up 2.7% versus a year ago as of May 2026, while 40,770 new dwellings were started and 39,890 dwellings completed in the first quarter of 2026.
Housebuilders
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