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.
£65.67 ▲ +32.3%
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.
£61.50 ▲ +33.1%
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.
1.1698 ▲ +1.3%
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.
1.3500 ▲ +0.5%
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.
9.1060 ▼ -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 fell 10.4% compared with a year ago, while Brent crude oil stood at £65.67 per barrel and WTI crude at £61.50 per barrel. UK road haulage charges rose 3.3% year on year as of the second quarter.
Sterling traded at 1.1698 against the euro, 1.3500 against the US dollar, and 9.1060 against the Chinese yuan.
The Bank of England's interest rate was set at 3.75% effective 10th August, and wholesale natural gas at the National Balancing Point reached 149.72 pence per therm, up 85.9% on the year. The standard business rate multiplier for the 2026 to 2027 tax year is 0.480 (0.432 for small businesses), average UK weekly income stood at £749 as of May, and labour costs increased 4.5% year on year as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
The average UK house price was £271,295 in May, up 2.7% from a year earlier. Between January and March, 40,770 new dwellings were started and 39,890 were completed.
Housebuilders
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