New housing Secretary Steve Reed doubled down on his call on housebuilders to “build, baby, build,” promising movement on new town building and that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would soon be passed into law.
Reed issued his “call to arms” after a meeting with key developers and housebuilders today, in a bid to “get Britain building faster”.
The department says it is preparing “a blitz of new measures expected to be announced in the coming weeks and months, including new towns across the country and the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill passing into law”.
This Bill, introduced by the department and currently in the committee stage of the House of Lords, is central to Labour’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes by the next election.
The government says this legislation will sweep aside planning objections, allowing it to kick-start the building of new home developments and major infrastructure projects in the final three years of this parliament.
The department also points to its reinstatement of mandatory housing targets to reverse measures curbing supply, which will drive UK housebuilding to its highest level in over 40 years, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Reed’s discussions with housebuilders included upcoming planning reforms, how the government can help remove barriers to development and what government can do to get spades in the ground quicker.
The housing minister says: “I want us to build, baby, build, so we can put the key to a decent home into the hands of every single family that needs it.
“We are doubling down on our plans to unleash one of the biggest eras of building in our country’s history, and we are backing the builders all the way.
“Through major planning reform and investment, we will break down the barriers to development and build the 1.5 million homes this country needs as part of our plan for change.”
On Monday, Parliament passed the housing department’s Renter’s Rights Bill, clearing the way for the legislation to become law as soon as this month.
Reed became housing secretary last Friday, taking over from Angela Rayner who resigned over her tax affairs.
Firms present at the meeting with the housing minister:
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Vistry Group
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Thakeham
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Taylor Wimpey
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Berkeley
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Barratt Redrow
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Persimmon
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Home Builders Federation
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Federation of Master Builders
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Grainger
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British Land
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Landsec
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Land, Planning and Development Federation
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Muse
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The Hill Group
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Lendlease
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Urban & Civic
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Homes England
