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UK Government Reaffirms Pledge to Build 1.5 Million New Homes by 2029
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner insists there are 'no excuses' for failing to meet Labour's ambitious housing target.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has stated that the UK government remains committed to building 1.5 million new homes by 2029, reinforcing Labour’s key election pledge.
Speaking on BBC's 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg,' Rayner acknowledged the difficulties in reaching the target but insisted there were 'no excuses' for inaction.
Labour’s housing target requires the construction of 300,000 new homes per year, a figure not achieved since the 1970s.
Recent BBC analysis indicates that housebuilding rates in England declined during Labour’s first six months in power.
Rayner said the government would push ahead with reforms to the planning system, though she cautioned that such changes would take time to yield results.
Former Conservative MP and education secretary Gillian Keegan agreed that housebuilding had been 'too slow,' noting that while the previous government had also pledged 1.5 million homes, progress remained limited.
She highlighted that at its peak, the UK had managed 249,000 new homes in one year, despite challenges such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts in Europe.
The construction industry has expressed skepticism over the feasibility of Labour’s target, citing labor shortages and rising costs of essential building materials such as bricks and timber.
Private developers have also raised concerns over their ability to deliver the necessary volume of homes each year.
In addition to housebuilding, the government has outlined measures to accelerate the home-buying process and strengthen the rights of leaseholders.
Plans include the introduction of digital identity services and data-sharing agreements to speed up property transactions, reducing the time it takes for mortgage approvals and legal checks.
The government has also announced updates to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, aimed at giving leaseholders more control over their properties.
Under the proposed changes, leaseholders will find it easier to take over management of their buildings through the right-to-manage scheme, even without the agreement of their landlord.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said the reforms support the government’s broader goal of delivering '1.5 million safe and decent homes' and improving protections for leaseholders facing unfair practices.
The updated legislation is set to take effect on Monday.
Speaking on BBC's 'Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg,' Rayner acknowledged the difficulties in reaching the target but insisted there were 'no excuses' for inaction.
Labour’s housing target requires the construction of 300,000 new homes per year, a figure not achieved since the 1970s.
Recent BBC analysis indicates that housebuilding rates in England declined during Labour’s first six months in power.
Rayner said the government would push ahead with reforms to the planning system, though she cautioned that such changes would take time to yield results.
Former Conservative MP and education secretary Gillian Keegan agreed that housebuilding had been 'too slow,' noting that while the previous government had also pledged 1.5 million homes, progress remained limited.
She highlighted that at its peak, the UK had managed 249,000 new homes in one year, despite challenges such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts in Europe.
The construction industry has expressed skepticism over the feasibility of Labour’s target, citing labor shortages and rising costs of essential building materials such as bricks and timber.
Private developers have also raised concerns over their ability to deliver the necessary volume of homes each year.
In addition to housebuilding, the government has outlined measures to accelerate the home-buying process and strengthen the rights of leaseholders.
Plans include the introduction of digital identity services and data-sharing agreements to speed up property transactions, reducing the time it takes for mortgage approvals and legal checks.
The government has also announced updates to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, aimed at giving leaseholders more control over their properties.
Under the proposed changes, leaseholders will find it easier to take over management of their buildings through the right-to-manage scheme, even without the agreement of their landlord.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said the reforms support the government’s broader goal of delivering '1.5 million safe and decent homes' and improving protections for leaseholders facing unfair practices.
The updated legislation is set to take effect on Monday.
