Rayner: “No Excuses” for Not Building 1.5 Million New Homes
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to building 1.5 million new homes by 2029, insisting there are “no excuses” for failing to meet the ambitious target set in the party’s election manifesto.
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Rayner acknowledged the challenge but remained resolute in her determination to deliver. “We knew it was going to be really difficult, given housebuilding trends before we entered government,” she said. “But we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting the homes they need.”
Labour’s plan would require an average of 300,000 new homes per year—a level of construction not seen in England since the 1970s. However, BBC analysis shows the number of homes built declined in Labour’s first six months in power, raising doubts about whether the target can be met.
Challenges to Labour’s Housing Plans
The construction industry has expressed skepticism about Labour’s ability to meet its target, citing:
- A chronic shortage of skilled workers in the industry
- Supply chain issues, including limited access to bricks and timber
- Uncertainty over whether private housebuilders can or will meet demand
Former Conservative MP Gillian Keegan admitted that housebuilding has been “too slow,” despite the previous government’s pledges. She noted that even in the best year under Conservative leadership, the UK only built 249,000 homes—a figure well short of Labour’s annual target.
Reforming the Housing Market
As part of its strategy to improve the housing sector, the government has announced measures to speed up home-buying and give leaseholders more control over their properties.
1. Digitalizing the Home-Buying Process
The government plans to cut transaction times by introducing:
- Digital identity verification for buyers and sellers
- Data-sharing improvements to ensure mortgage lenders, surveyors, and legal professionals have immediate access to key information
Currently, property transactions can take months due to slow paperwork exchanges. The new system aims to streamline the process, making buying and selling homes more efficient and transparent.
2. Strengthening Leaseholders’ Rights
Labour will also empower leaseholders by making it easier for them to take control of their buildings through the Right to Manage scheme. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which takes effect Monday, will allow leaseholders to take charge of building management without needing the landlord’s approval, giving them greater say over service charges and maintenance.
Will Labour Deliver?
Labour’s housing pledge is one of its key policy promises, aimed at tackling soaring house prices and rental costs, particularly affecting younger people. However, experts remain cautious about whether the ambitious plan can be fully realized within the next four years.
While Rayner insists there are “no excuses” for inaction, labour shortages, supply chain constraints, and private sector hesitancy pose significant obstacles. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Labour’s housing revolution is achievable—or another political promise facing tough economic realities.
