Labour unveils plan for ‘council housing revolution’ in England.

Deputy prime minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, has unveiled the UK Government’s initial steps towards planning reform in England. This ambitious plan aims to construct 370,000 new homes annually, revamp council housing targets, and introduce new provisions to open up the metropolitan green belt.
In a bid to ‘get Britain building’, the government will implement a new methodology to calculate housing requirements, define a grey belt, and establish “golden rules” mandating 50% affordable housing with a specific focus on social rent on designated land. A consultation, set to conclude on 24th September 2024, will outline these proposals.
Notably, Crisis, a homelessness charity, expressed satisfaction with the measures to combat the severe shortage of social and affordable housing. They support the allocation of £450 million from the Local Authority Housing Fund to local authorities, ensuring the construction of 2,000 homes for the most vulnerable individuals.
Chief Executive of Crisis, Matt Downie, emphasised the critical need for social and affordable housing, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by countless households in England. The organisation anticipates the government’s commitment to delivering 50% affordable housing on Green Belt land, chiefly focusing on social rent, and advocates for collaborative efforts between councils and developers to erect the necessary 90,000 social homes to eradicate homelessness.
Support also came from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) who praised the reinstatement of national housing targets. Brian Berry, CEO of FMB, welcomed the move, emphasising the urgency of reforming the housing system to achieve the government’s target of constructing 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.
On a similar note, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomed the policy changes aimed at increasing housing development. However, they called for more comprehensive reforms to remove hurdles obstructing the actual building process.
Propertymark’s CEO, Nathan Emerson, expressed eagerness to collaborate with the government to ensure a balanced housing landscape moving forward. He stressed the importance of sustainable housing in key areas, underlining the necessity for a cohesive housing strategy that meets future demand.
The UK Green Building Council highlighted the significance of repurposing vacant buildings into affordable homes to combat urban sprawl. Additionally, they stressed the need for high-quality, affordable housing that aligns with climate and nature restoration goals.
RSM UK cautioned that Labour’s social housing commitment must address financial constraints to succeed. They urged the government to focus on funding availability to support accelerated housebuilding and address financial challenges faced by the social housing sector.
In conclusion, Angela Rayner’s proposals for a ‘council housing revolution’ indicate a positive step towards addressing the housing crisis in England. By prioritising social and affordable housing, collaborating with key stakeholders, and ensuring sustainable development, the government aims to transform the housing landscape for generations to come.