Labour leader Keir Starmer reiterated points from the Labour Manifesto, saying that he would reform planning, increase the supply of affordable housing and maintain Right to Buy
Writing in an editorial for Inside Housing, Labour leader Keir Starmer spoke of the hardship faced by millions of people across the country, saying that “having a place to call your own is the bedrock of security and aspiration”.
But it is also a “massive drain on the economy,” Starmer went on to say. “So when planning rules mean you can’t build any houses, that is both a wrecker of dreams and a blockage on our national potential.”
“Growth is Labour’s number one priority for government”
The Labour leader went on to day that “only by reforming our planning regulations[…] we can unlock the economic potential of the country.”
Saying he expected resistance to this, but that Labour would not be deterred, Starmer reiterated the manifesto promise to build 1.5m homes over the next parliament, immediately update the National Policy Planning Framework and take a “more strategic approach” to greenbelt development.
“In so many places, land currently registered as green belt would better be described as a ‘grey belt’ of disused carparks and dreary wasteland. And there is no good reason, given the challenges we face on growth, why this land could not be released for building.”
Increasing supply of affordable homes would be achieved through measures such as:
- Supporting councils and housing associations to build to capacity
- Use intervention powers where necessary to drive housebuilding
- Reform compulsory purchase rules prevent inflated land prices as well as prioritising social rented accommodation wherever appropriate
Keir Starmer’s housing plans also addressed the needs of buyers
Saying that the Right to Buy scheme “is a legitimate route for working class aspiration”, it must also not be “a way to sell social rented homes and quickly convert them into expensive private rented accommodation.”
Labour also intend to introduce a permanent mortgage guarantee in the ‘Freedom to Buy‘ scheme, a ‘first dibs’ policy to make sure local people have access to new developments in their community and tax foreign buyers to fund a new cohort of planning officers to conquer planning backlog.
“It’s time to get Britain building again.”
Keir Starmer’s plans were welcomed by industry voices
Dave Dargan, CEO and co-founder of Starship: “As Sir Keir Starmer stated, having a place to call your own is the bedrock of security and aspiration. I’ve been strong in my praise of Labour’s primary focus on growth, and seeing this commitment reflected in Starmer’s intent to reform the UK’s planning regulations is immensely encouraging.
Labour’s plan to build over 1.5m homes over the next parliament aims to increase supply, support long-term affordability and boost social housing for those unable to buy their own homes. This aligns with my ambition for a combined effort of building traditional and modular homes. ‘Getting Britain building again’ is crucial not only for addressing the housing crisis but also for encouraging sustained economic growth.”
