Labour vows to deliver ‘biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation’

The party said it would “take tough action” to ensure that planning authorities have up-to-date local plans and reform and strengthen the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

 

“Labour will support local authorities by funding additional planning officers, through increasing the rate of the stamp duty surcharge paid by non-UK residents,” the party said.

 

“We will ensure local communities continue to shape housebuilding in their area, but where necessary Labour will not be afraid to make full use of intervention powers to build the houses we need.”

 

Earlier this week, the Conservative Party launched its own 2024 election manifesto, including a pledge to build 1.6 million homes over the next parliament. This came despite the government having softened in recent months the pledge from the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto to be building 300,000 homes every year by the mid-2020s.

 

Labour said that in partnership with local leaders and communities, a government under its leadership would build “a new generation of new towns, inspired by the proud legacy of the 1945 Labour government”.

 

Alongside urban extensions and regeneration projects, these would form part of a series of large-scale new communities across England, it said. Labour has previously revealed that the new towns will aim for 40 per cent affordable housing.

 

The party said: “Housing need in England cannot be met without planning for growth on a larger-than-local scale so we will introduce effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning.

 

“Labour will require all combined and mayoral authorities to strategically plan for housing growth in their areas. We will give combined authorities new planning powers along with new freedoms and flexibilities to make better use of grant funding.”

 

Labour said it would further reform compulsory purchase compensation rules to “improve land assembly, speed up site delivery, and deliver housing, infrastructure, amenity and transport benefits in the public interest”.

 

Compulsory purchase is a legal mechanism by which certain bodies, referred to as ‘acquiring authorities’, can acquire land without the consent of the owner. These powers can support the delivery of a range of development, regeneration and infrastructure projects in the public interest.

 

“We will take steps to ensure that for specific types of development schemes, landowners are awarded fair compensation rather than inflated prices based on the prospect of planning permission,” the party said.

 

Labour said it would implement solutions to unlock the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections.

 

As previously announced, Labour said it would take a brownfield-first approach, prioritising the development of previously used land wherever possible, and fast-tracking approval of urban brownfield sites.

 

After this, the party would prioritise the release of lower-quality ‘grey belt’ land over the green belt. It defines the ‘grey belt’ as neglected areas such as poor-quality wastelands and disused car parks that are in the green belt.

 

Ending homelessness  

 

Labour said that it would develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country, to “put Britain back on track to ending homelessness”.

 

The party said: “The last Labour government made huge strides in ending homelessness. Under the Conservatives, that progress has been undone, with rough sleepers an all-too-common sight in our towns and cities, and a sharp rise in hidden homelessness.”

The NHF’s response

 

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), welcomed Labour’s manifesto for demonstrating a “clear commitment” to solving the housing crisis and backing social landlords to build their capacity.

 

She said: “We are encouraged to see a manifesto from the Labour Party today that recognises the scale of the challenge we face, demonstrates a clear commitment to solving this crisis for good, and understands the role social housing can play in kick-starting economic growth.

 

“Building social homes at scale will change lives, strengthen communities, boost growth and save the taxpayer money. Housing associations stand ready to deliver this, but will require long-term commitment and sustained investment from the next government to do so. We’re therefore delighted to see Labour’s manifesto pledge to support councils and housing associations to build their capacity to ensure more social homes can be built. This is a vital first step towards ending the housing crisis.”

 

Ms Henderson added: “The NHF has long been calling for planning reform to ensure we have the homes and infrastructure we need in this country. We welcome today’s manifesto announcements of the reintroduction of housing targets and a cross-boundary approach. It is also encouraging to see that the Labour Party acknowledges that building on brownfield alone will not be enough to solve this crisis and that a more nuanced approach is required in order to deliver homes for communities across the country.

 

“We know we will only be able to solve this crisis with a strategic, long-term plan for housing that is nationally co-ordinated with measurable outcomes and goals. Today’s manifesto makes clear that the Labour Party shares this belief in a long-term approach that looks holistically at the crisis and prioritises building more social housing, solving homelessness and overcrowding, providing warm homes, ensuring growth and improving affordability in its solutions.”

 

Private rented sector

 

Labour said it would overhaul regulation of the private rented sector.

 

It would “immediately abolish” Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, prevent private renters being “exploited and discriminated against” and empower them to challenge “unreasonable rent increases”, the party said.

 

This comes after an amendment to the government’s Renters’ Reform Bill had delayed the abolition of Section 21 evictions by requiring the chancellor to prepare an assessment of the operation of possession proceedings for rented properties, and for that assessment to be published before Section 21 can be abolished for existing tenancies.

 

Labour said it would also “take steps to decisively raise standards”, including extending Awaab’s Law to the private sector, as previously pledged by the party.

 

First-time buyers

 

Labour said it would work with local authorities to give first-time buyers the first chance to buy homes and “end the farce of entire developments being sold off to international investors before houses are even built”.

 

The party also promised to introduce a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme, to support first-time buyers who struggle to save for a large deposit, with lower mortgage costs.

 

Leaseholders

 

Labour said it would ban new leasehold flats and ensure commonhold is the default tenure, and review how to better protect leaseholders from costs.

 

The party said it would take decisive action to improve building safety, including through regulation, and take steps to accelerate the pace of remediation across the country.