Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, insisting that there are “no excuses” for failing to meet the ambitious target set out in the party’s election manifesto.
The government has pledged to achieve this housebuilding goal before the next general election, but recent analysis indicates that the number of new homes constructed in England has continued to decline during the first six months of Labour’s tenure. Despite acknowledging the challenge, Rayner remains resolute in her determination to address the housing crisis.
The Housing, Communities, and Local Government Secretary revealed that she was urged to reconsider Labour’s target shortly after assuming office. However, she rejected any suggestion of lowering the ambition. “I wasn’t going to give up on the target,” she asserted. “We knew it was going to be really difficult given the trends before we came into government, but I am determined to meet it.”
Rayner stressed that while reforming the planning system would take time to produce results, the government was steadfast in its efforts to accelerate housebuilding. “There are no excuses to not build those homes that people desperately need. And we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting these homes,” she stated.
Concerns Over Housebuilding Pace
Former Conservative MP and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has voiced concerns over the pace of housebuilding, calling it “too slow.” She noted that the previous Conservative government had also set a target of 1.5 million homes in its 2024 election manifesto, but admitted that significant obstacles had hampered progress.
“The highest number we reached was about 249,000 homes in one year,” Keegan said. “Of course, we had to navigate Brexit, Covid, and a war in Europe at the time. But that shows you the scale of the challenge.”
Labour’s strategy hinges on the belief that increasing the housing supply will help lower prices and improve affordability, particularly for younger buyers and renters. However, the party faces significant hurdles, as the country has not achieved an annual housebuilding rate of 300,000 homes—the level required to meet the target—since the 1970s.
Industry Skepticism
The housing industry has expressed doubts about Labour’s ability to deliver on its promise within the proposed timeframe. The construction sector is currently grappling with a chronic shortage of skilled workers, while the availability of essential building materials such as bricks and timber remains a significant concern.
Many experts also question whether private developers will be able or willing to construct enough homes each year to meet the target. Historically, private housebuilders have been cautious about rapid expansion due to market fluctuations and financial constraints.
Government Reforms
In addition to boosting housebuilding, the government has announced plans to streamline the home-buying process and grant more power to leaseholders. Rayner’s department is pushing forward with measures to digitalise property transactions, aiming to reduce delays and increase efficiency.
Currently, home purchases in England can take months due to lengthy paperwork and administrative checks by mortgage companies, surveyors, and other stakeholders. The government’s proposed digital identity services and data-sharing initiatives aim to cut transaction times significantly.
Under the new system, key information—ranging from mortgage details to surveyor reports—would be instantly accessible to relevant parties, with identity checks conducted only once. The Housing Department is working closely with the Land Registry and property market stakeholders to establish data-sharing rules and digital verification services.
Empowering Leaseholders
Alongside these changes, the government is set to introduce new measures to empower leaseholders. On Monday, it will implement reforms under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, making it easier for leaseholders to assume control of their buildings through the right-to-manage scheme.
Right-to-manage laws allow eligible leaseholders to take over the management of their properties without needing the landlord’s approval, giving them greater control over service charges and maintenance decisions.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook stated that the reforms are part of Labour’s broader effort to deliver “1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament” while also addressing unfair and unreasonable leasehold practices.
Labour’s housebuilding pledge remains a cornerstone of its policy agenda, with the government determined to overcome economic and logistical challenges to meet its 2029 target. However, as the construction sector grapples with supply chain constraints and labour shortages, achieving the ambitious goal remains an uphill battle. With housing affordability a growing concern for millions of Britons, the success or failure of this initiative could play a crucial role in shaping Labour’s political fortunes ahead of the next general election.
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