UK housing minister concedes 1.5m-home target may be missed
Angela Rayner says there is only a slim chance of meeting the manifesto commitment before the next election, as the government shifts its focus towards council housing.
UK Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has acknowledged there is only a slim chance the government will meet its manifesto commitment to build 1.5 million homes before the next election.
Rayner said the target, described in the manifesto as a “stretch target”, remained in place and that she was “definitely not giving it up”. Her comments mark the first public acknowledgement that the commitment may be missed.
The government has allocated £10 billion to a social and affordable homes programme expected to fund 70,000 homes outside London. About 60% are to be social rented properties, with the remainder comprising shared ownership and sheltered housing.
London is due to receive a further £6 billion, although the timing and final allocation have not been specified. Rayner said Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s priority was ensuring more council houses were built.
Progress towards the overall target has been hindered by inflation, higher construction costs and housebuilders reducing development activity. The government says housing starts rose by 15% last year.
Ministers are also considering a “default yes” approach for developments within reasonable walking distance of well-connected train and tram stations, as part of efforts to ease constraints on private-sector building.
