Gove re-commits to government’s 300,000-homes-a-year housing target

But Mr Gove said “no one can deny” that building more homes will be “made more difficult” because of the economic circumstances.

“The cost of materials has increased because of the problems with global supply chains and also a very tight labour market means the capacity to build those homes at the rate we want is constrained,” he said. 

In May, former housing secretary Robert Jenrick warned that the government would almost certainly miss its 300,000-home target “by a country mile”.

In the interview, Mr Gove also revealed that plans for so-called Investment Zones will be reviewed as he said “there’s no way” the government will undermine environmental protections.

“What we critically need to do is make sure we have local communities consenting to development,” Mr Gove said.

He also said the government is still committed to bringing in reforms as part of the Social Housing Regulation Bill and new laws related to the private rented sector. 

On issues around the supported housing sector, Mr Gove claimed there are “rogue elements” who take money from the state, saying they will provide vulnerable people with not just a roof over their head, but additional support.

He said these “chancers” are leaving people in “dire circumstances”.

“Bob Blackman, a backbench MP, is working with the charity Crisis in order to deal with that,” Mr Gove said.

This comes after a report by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee last week, which concluded that the current system of exempt accommodation – a type of supported housing that is used to house a range of people with support needs – is a “complete mess”.

Financial support for tenants

Meanwhile, the housing secretary refused to say whether he believes benefits should rise in line with inflation. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been under pressure to deliver this, which is something the Chartered Institute of Housing has been calling for.

Mr Gove said there will be some “very tough” decisions to make in the Autumn Statement this month. 

But he said Mr Sunak’s “whole instinct and everything he has done in politics” is to seek to support people.

“We’re working with the chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the prime minister to look at the package at the time of the Autumn Statement to see exactly how we ensure we can can help people at this extraordinary difficult time,” Mr Gove added.