Labour set to overhaul planning rules to build social homes

Labour will overhaul planning rules to build the 'biggest wave of social and affordable housing in a generation', the Deputy Prime Minister has said.

Angela Rayner, who is also the Housing Secretary, said delivering the homes 'at scale' is her 'No 1 priority' after accusing the previous government of giving up on building.

Echoing the Chancellor's warnings around the public finances, Ms Rayner said ministers had discovered a their 'frankly scandalous legacy' lurking 'under each stone we lift'.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Observer: 'We simply do not have enough homes.

'In the death throes of the clapped-out Conservative government, they gave up on governing and compounded their housing failure. In the first three months of this year, work started on 41 per cent fewer homes compared to the same period in 2023.'

She is expected to announce the changes tomorrow before MPs go on summer recess. 

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These will include bringing back mandatory housing targets that were scrapped by the previous Government and introducing 'golden rules' to ensure development works for local people and protects nature.

In its manifesto, Labour pledged to build 1.5million homes over the next parliament, including on green belt land if needed. 

This will involve increasing mandatory housing targets by 50 per cent, meaning thousands more homes will need to be constructed in most areas.

The move will likely be welcomed by the new Labour Growth Group, made up of 54 MPs, who have urged the leadership to 'back the builders and not the blockers' and 'make tough choices' over constructing homes.

'A failure to act will not be forgiven by the public,' they wrote. 'Britain has a housing crisis and a huge infrastructure deficit - without strong and immediate action, this will only worsen.'

Earlier this month Conservative leader Rishi Sunak said Labour's proposals will 'damage public consent for more housing in the long-term'.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said last night: 'Labour was given a clear mandate at the election to get Britain building again and kickstart economic growth.

'We are determined to grasp the nettle of planning reform so we can build the homes and infrastructure our country needs.'