Oxford News
NatWest launches £250m fund to increase affordable housing
NatWest has announced a £250 million Section 106 Loan Fund to help housing associations buy affordable homes from housebuilders and unlock stalled housing delivery.
Together, this funding could support the acquisition of around 2,500 S106 homes. The loans will be offered at discounted margins and fees.
Section 106 homes are delivered as part of planning agreements with local authorities, but housing associations have recently struggled to acquire them due to rising financial pressures.
This has led to completed homes sitting empty and delays in new housing developments.
NatWest said the fund is part of its wider goal of supporting social housing with £10 billion in funding by the end of 2028.
Paul Eyre, head of residential and housing finance at NatWest, said: “In February, we set out a £10 billion ambition to support the delivery and maintenance of social housing across the UK.
“This new £250 million S106 Loan Fund is a practical example of that commitment in action — helping housing associations in England unlock sites, bring affordable homes into use and support wider housing delivery at a critical time.”
Supported by a matching £250 million recently announced by Homes England, the fund doubles the total funding available for Section 106 acquisitions to £500 million.
Catherine van Weenen, regional managing director of commercial mid-market at NatWest, said: “Across London and the South East, housing constraints continue to limit opportunity for families and hold back regional growth.
“This £250 million Section 106 Loan Fund is a practical step to help housing associations bring more affordable homes into use and accelerate new delivery.
“This funding supports families, strengthens local economies, and helps ensure growth is more evenly shared.
“It’s a clear example of our Growing Together plan in action – backing the regions, building for the future, and empowering communities in London, the South East and beyond to thrive.”
Support for the scheme has also come from the Government.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “We need to build more affordable homes to bring down the number of families stuck on housing waiting lists.
“Housebuilding is a national mission and businesses like NatWest will have a pivotal role to play in helping us unlock stalled housing sites across the country and build the homes we need.”
Neil Jefferson, CEO of the Home Builders Federation, added: “With around half of Affordable Housing being delivered through the Section 106 cross-subsidy model, it is important that we have a functioning market for these much-needed Affordable Homes.”
The actor is well known for his iconic role as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther in the BBC crime drama of the same name.
Sir Idris first came to prominence playing drug kingpin Stringer Bell in acclaimed US drama The Wire before moving on to Luther.
He has since fronted major films, including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela.
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Sir Idris has also starred in big-budget blockbusters such as Thor, Pacific Rim and Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw.
On screen, he has also earned plaudits for roles in Beasts of No Nation, Star Trek Beyond and Molly’s Game, while his voice work includes hit animations Zootopia, The Jungle Book and Finding Dory.
The 53-year-old has revealed that he enjoys taking a trip to Oxfordshire with his wife, Lady Sabrina Elba, when not starring on the screen.
Among his favourite local spots is Burford’s Bull, where Sir Idris has donated his personal poker table.
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“When I have time off in the UK, Sabrina and I rent a beautiful house in Oxfordshire on a four-acre farm,” he told The Times.
“We bring Lola, our sheepadoodle, and I take my music, guitar and recording equipment — making music gives me the most pleasure.
“We love going for a meal at the Bull at Burford; the owner, Matthew Freud, is a friend and I’ve donated my poker table to the hotel. I haven’t played there … yet.”
Bull in Burford has quickly established itself as one of the Cotswolds’ most talked‑about boutique stays, housed in a Grade II-listed 16th‑century coaching inn on Burford High Street.
The 18-bedroom hotel has picked up major accolades since reopening, with its restaurants named among the UK’s top 100 and its Horn dining room awarded two AA Rosettes in 2024, while the property itself has been recognised with a Michelin Key.
Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, who formed Boyzlife in 2016, made their names in multi‑platinum, record‑breaking boybands Westlife and Boyzone.
The duo will bring their hits to Oxford when they perform at Foodies Festival in South Park, which runs from August 29 to 31.
Both groups were among the most successful Irish boybands of their era, with Westlife clocking up more than a dozen UK number ones and Boyzone dominating the charts earlier in the decade.
They will share the stage with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates and his “Boyband in the Park” show, plus double-platinum 90s favourites B*Witched.
Now in its 21st year, Foodies Festival will also serve up a strong line-up of TV chefs and bakers, including MasterChef 2025 champion Harry Maguire. Other talents include Andrew Carr from The Yurt, in Bicester, and Mark Peregrine, director of the Raymond Blanc Cooker School in Great Milton.
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Visitors will be immersed in a food and drink haven, with live theatres: Chefs cook signature dishes using local produce, while bakers create desserts; competitions heat up with chilli and hot wings challenges; masterclasses cover drinks; children enjoy activities; and markets offer street food and artisan treats throughout the festival.
Ready, steady cook, new for 2026, will see Master Chef and Great British Menu go head-to-head
Miles Phillips of Abingdon has given a guilty plea at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to four counts of rape, intentional strangulation, intentional suffocation and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.
The 41-year-old admitted his crime yesterday (Monday, June 8) and following this Detective Constable Josie Frost called him “dangerous” and said she hoped the trial was providing “some comfort to the survivor”.
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The offences took place in Staffordshire between 2023 and 2025, and were investigated by officers from Staffordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit.
The force said they supported the survivor, while building the evidence needed to secure the charges.
With the guilty plea given, Phillips has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 31.
DC Frost said: “I would like to recognise the immense courage and bravery shown by the survivor throughout our investigation.
“Phillips is a dangerous offender and officers and staff worked tirelessly to secure these convictions and bring him to justice.
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“I hope knowing that he is behind bars awaiting sentencing provides some comfort to the survivor.”
If you’re a survivor of sexual abuse or violence please call 101 or use Live Chat on the police’s website.
If you’re not comfortable speaking with the police then the Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line is open 24 hours a day (0808 500 222).
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