UK’s largest brickmaker hit by sales slump as housebuilding downturn deepens

Ibstock, which has cut production by a fifth, criticises government for delay in help for housing sector Sales at the UK’s largest brickmaker plunged by more than a fifth over the summer, as it criticised the government for not introducing fresh help for the housing sector faster. Leicestershire-based Ibstock said on Monday that sales slumped by 22% below its expectations in the quarter to the end of September, prompting it to slash production levels by a fifth.
Read in depth: Business
Volkswagen reports €5.8 billion third-quarter loss as Porsche charge and China slump weigh
The German carmaker's July-to-September loss widened sharply from a year earlier, with a large Porsche writedown and falling deliveries in China adding to pressure on its results.
World Bank forecasts 23% commodity price rise as energy and shipping shocks mount
The bank projects higher energy, metals and food prices in 2026, with further risks from conflict, disrupted grain shipments and El Niño.
Sources and context
The GuardianSource headline and summary supplied via NewsData.io. First collected by NewsJaws on 2026-11-03. This is an automated news brief, not original NewsJaws reporting. Dates reflect the source publication. Feed delays may apply.
More from Business

Texas voters on high gas prices under Trump: ‘Probably made me go more Democrat’
Prediction market bettors are the new political pundits. Why are we listening to them? | Judith Levine
A coffee shop in San Francisco sells a $105 cup of coffee. We did a blind taste test
