Labour Party’s Bold Housebuilding Plans: Action from Day One

The Labour Party has announced its commitment to accelerating housebuilding immediately upon taking office, before winning the election. In an interview with The Times, party leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized their readiness to “hit the ground running” with a comprehensive plan to boost housebuilding from “day one.”

Starmer stated, “I want to make sure we can start on this from day one,” while Reeves highlighted the “urgency” for Labour to become the leading party for housebuilders. She pointed out the current chaotic state of greenfield development and stressed the need for a more organized approach. Reeves also noted that not all greenbelt land is truly green, indicating a strategic approach to its use.

In April, Labour proposed building more homes on greenbelt land, with a focus on reclassifying lower-quality “greybelt” areas, such as poor-quality land, car parks, and wasteland, for development. This strategic approach aims to address the housing crisis effectively.

With opinion polls showing Labour was leading ahead of the July 4th vote, Starmer has committed to building 1.5 million homes over the next parliamentary term. The party also plans for would-be housing secretary Angela Rayner to announce a housebuilding program early in their term. Rayner will direct local authorities to regularly review greenbelt boundaries to meet housing targets.

To expedite the planning process, Labour intends to recruit 300 new planning officers and prioritize new homes for local residents over sales to overseas investors.

In contrast, the Conservative Party has pledged to build 1.6 million homes, proposing a new “fast-track route” through the planning system for developments on previously developed land in the 20 largest English cities.

Contact Us

For those interested in construction and building services roles, now is the time to get involved. Contact us today at construction@strong-group.co.uk or 02087636122 to find out more about the opportunities available.