MP hits out at government’s ‘failing’ housebuilding record as she defects to Labour

The MP, who is a founding director and former chief executive of the The Housing & Finance Institute, pointed to government figures showing that new home starts fell to 148,930 in 2023. This compared to 178,110 the year before, the largest fall in a single year since the credit crunch.

She also claimed that renters and leaseholders have been “betrayed” as manifesto pledges to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and abolish ground rents have not been delivered.

Last month housing bodies criticised the Renters (Reform) Bill for offering no clear timeframe or commitment to end no-fault evictions.

Ms Elphicke said that the past couple of years have also seen a “huge rise” in homelessness, temporary accommodation use and rough sleeping.

According to government figures, rough sleeping in England has increased by over 50 per cent from 2,443 people in 2021 to 3,898 people in 2023. At the end of 2023 a record 112,660 households were in temporary accommodation.

Ms Elphicke said: “The manifesto committed to 300,000 homes next year – but only around half that number are now set to be built.”

She added: “Renters and leaseholders have been betrayed as manifesto pledges to end no-fault evictions and abolish ground rents have not been delivered as promised.

“The last couple of years have also seen a huge rise in homelessness, in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping – with record numbers of children now in temporary accommodation, without a secure roof over their head.”

A number of Conservative MPs voiced surprise at Ms Elphicke’s decision, with suggestions that she was on the right wing of the party, having supported Liz Truss and been a member of the European Research Group, a group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs. 

The BBC reported that Rishi Sunak’s press secretary had said that the prime minister remained focused on “the priorities of the British people”.

Meanwhile, Ms Elphicke said Labour plans to “build the homes we need, help young people onto the housing ladder and care about the vulnerable and homeless”.

“That’s why I’m honoured to have been asked to work with Keir [Starmer] and the team to help deliver the homes we need,” she said.

“We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government. Britain needs a government that will build a future of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness.”

In April, Labour vowed to free up pockets of the green belt for housing delivery.

The details were released as part of the party’s housing plan to deliver the pledge to build 1.5 million new homes, made by leader Sir Keir Starmer at the party’s conference.

Rachael Williamson, head of policy and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “It’s clear that housing is rising up the political agenda and could be one of the key issues determining the outcome of the next election.

“With a growing number of people struggling to afford a decent and secure place to live, the focus now must be on action, with politicians of all parties committing to a long-term plan for housing.”