Deputy Prime Minister and secretary of state for housing Angela Rayner further outlined government plans for homeowners, homebuyers and landlords in her speech at the Labour Party Conference 2024.
She said that 14 years of Tory chaos had not just left its mark on people’s jobs, but on homes too.
“Not enough are being built. The Tories failed to meet their targets year, after year, after year. Michael Gove handed back nearly £2bn to the Treasury in unspent housing funds. Mortgages have soared. Leaseholders are left at the mercy of eye-watering charges. Renters face crippling rent hikes in damp and mouldy homes. Homelessness is all around us.
“The simple aspiration of a safe, secure and affordable home is further out of reach than ever and we can’t go on like this. So change must begin at home.
She pledged that the new government would get Britain building, specifically building decent homes for working people.
“A new planning framework will unlock the door to affordable homes and provide the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.
And conference, our renters’ bill will rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord and end no fault evictions – for good.”
Rayner said government’s long-term plan would free leaseholders from the tyranny of a mediaeval system. And a cross-government taskforce would put Britain back on track to ending homelessness.
“Whether you’re a leaseholder, a tenant, a home-buyer or without somewhere to live – this government is on your side. But my mission is not just to build houses, it is to build homes. Because we cannot build at any cost. These new homes must be warm, secure and most importantly safe.”
Rayner promised that this Labour Government would take action to ensure all homes are decent and safe, and residents treated with the respect they deserve.
“Many housing associations, councils and landlords do good by their tenants and I know how hard they’ve had it after 14 years under the Tories. Which is why I will work in partnership with the sector to deliver the change. I will clamp down on damp and mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn and we’ll extend it to the private rented sector too.
“We will consult and implement a new Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, to end the scandal of homes being unfit to live in.
She also talked about the benefits of devolved power and local initiatives. “Labour mayors have shown what is possible when Labour is in power. And that’s why I am giving mayors more powers over house building and planning, as well as transport and skills.” She added: “A new White Paper will map out how we will move power out of Whitehall.”
