Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, recently detailed a bold strategy for ramping up housebuilding efforts in the UK. At the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIF) in Leeds, she announced that Labour plans to ‘turbo-charge’ the construction of new homes across the nation. By setting a target of 1.5 million new homes in the next parliamentary term, Labour aims to tackle the urgent housing crisis.
Drawing parallels to the post-World War II Atlee government, which constructed millions of homes, Rayner argued for significant government intervention in the housing sector. She stated, “Labour’s towns of the future will be built on the foundations of our past. The post-war period taught us that when the government plays a strategic role in housebuilding, we can turbo-charge growth to the benefit of working people across Britain.”
Labour’s Ambitious Housebuilding Plans
Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has laid out a bold vision for increasing the rate of housebuilding in the UK. Speaking at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREIF) in Leeds, she declared that Labour will ‘turbo-charge’ housebuilding efforts across the nation. By promising to build 1.5 million new homes during the next parliamentary term, Labour aims to address the pressing housing shortage.
Rayner referenced the post-World War II Atlee government, which successfully built millions of homes. According to her, government intervention can significantly boost the housing industry. She stated, “Labour’s towns of the future will be built on the foundations of our past. The post-war period taught us that when the government plays a strategic role in housebuilding, we can turbo-charge growth to the benefit of working people across Britain.”
New Towns and Affordable Housing
Labour’s strategy includes creating new towns designed for modern living. These towns will feature good-quality, affordable housing and be equipped with green spaces, transport links, schools, and GP surgeries. The ‘New Towns Code’ will set a ‘gold standard target,’ requiring 40% of homes to be affordable. This will include social and council homes, as well as high-density housing with easy access to town and city centres.
The focus isn’t just on building houses but creating liveable communities. Rayner emphasized that developers who fail to meet these standards will be held accountable. This approach aims to ensure that housing projects deliver what they promise, contributing to genuinely sustainable community development.
Planning System Reform
Another cornerstone of Labour’s plan is the reform of the planning system. This will make it easier and quicker to approve housing projects. Experts in the industry have noted that a reformed planning system is crucial for meeting housing targets. However, Rayner noted that these efforts would only be successful if there is adequate funding and well-staffed planning teams.
Rayner’s comments come at a time when planning applications have dropped to their lowest levels on record. The last quarter of 2023 saw fewer than 70,000 planning applications, even lower than during the height of the pandemic. This underscores the urgent need for changes in the planning approval process to encourage more housing developments.
Support for Smaller Developers
Labour’s plans also extend to supporting smaller developers, particularly those in regions often overlooked by national funding initiatives. According to Saghir Hussain, CEO of Manchester-based architect firm Create It Studios, the focus must also be on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have the potential to drive new home delivery but often face financial and practical challenges.
This strategy is seen as a way to diversify the housing market by encouraging contributions from a wider range of developers. It also intends to distribute economic benefits more evenly across the country, particularly in northern cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool, which have frequently missed out on national funding priorities.
Banning No-Fault Evictions
Rayner also addressed the issue of tenants’ rights by promising to ban no-fault evictions. She stated that Labour will implement this ‘no ifs, no buts.’ This policy is aimed at providing renters with more security and stability, protecting them from sudden eviction without reason.
This move is expected to affect landlords significantly but is seen as essential for ensuring fair treatment of renters. By giving tenants more robust protections, Labour aims to create a more balanced and just housing market where people can feel secure in their homes.
First-Time Buyers and Leasehold Reform
To further support the housing market, Labour plans to give first-time buyers priority access to new housing developments in their local communities. Rayner mentioned a comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme to assist those who cannot rely on financial support from family.
She also committed to ending the ‘mediaeval’ leasehold system, calling for root and branch reform. The current leasehold practices have often left homeowners with unfair charges and complex legal obligations. Reforming this system aims to simplify home ownership and make it fairer for new buyers.
Partnerships for Affordable Housing
Rayner highlighted examples of successful housing projects, such as a development in her Ashton constituency. This project, a partnership between a developer, Tameside council, and Homes England, delivered 62 new homes for affordable rent.
She stressed the importance of such collaborations in achieving Labour’s housing goals. These joint efforts between public and private sectors are crucial for delivering the affordable homes that are so desperately needed. They not only provide secure housing options but also foster a sense of community and shared responsibility in development projects.
In summary, Labour’s comprehensive plan for boosting housebuilding aims to address the UK’s housing crisis through significant government intervention. From creating new towns to reforming the planning system, Labour’s approach is detailed and multifaceted. By prioritising affordable housing and supporting smaller developers, the party seeks to create sustainable communities and a fairer housing market. Furthermore, measures like banning no-fault evictions and ending the unfair leasehold system showcase a commitment to tenant rights. The collaboration between public and private sectors is also highlighted as essential for achieving these ambitious housing goals.