Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has admitted that even if the country succeeded in constructing 1.5 million homes in this parliament, it would only ‘make a dent’ in the housing crisis.
Speaking to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, she said it would be “foolish” to give a number on how many social homes would be built next year, clarifying that it depends on local plans.
However, she pledged to create the “biggest wave of social and affordable housing for a generation”.
She said: “Even with the 1.5 million homes target, that is a stretch target. I don’t lose. I hate losing. I’ve always been underestimated all my life and I’m determined personally not to lose this fight either.
“But even if I and this government achieve this 1.5 million homes target it is a dent in what we need to achieve as a whole country to deliver the houses that we desperately need.
“We haven’t seen this level of housebuilding since the 1950s in the post-war and it is a similar challenge we face today to get that as well. I think they are achievable targets that we’ve set.”
Some 221,070 additional dwellings were created in 2023/24, down 6% year-on-year and well short of the 300,000 target.
Alison Ogley, planning law partner at Freeths, said: “Angela Rayner’s understanding of the scale of the task in meeting housing need represents a marked change from the previous Government’s position, which was characterised by a revolving door of Housing Ministers and Secretaries of State.
“The path ahead in achieving the ‘stretch target’ of 1.5 million homes in five years is fraught with obstacles; it may be achievable, but the government will likely have to go much further than current proposals to provide the local planning system with the resources and tools it needs to deliver.
“Blockers to infrastructure delivery are complex; challenges with aggregates supply, increasing pressures on the construction industry, and ensuring local planning authorities deliver timely improvements (funded by the development sector) are just a few of these.
“It remains to be seen whether the government is able to grapple effectively with these issues and find a positive path through, which will be critical to meeting the 1.5 million houses in 5 years.”
Rayner said reforming leaseholds so commonholds become the default tenure is a priority this year.
Another focus is a new bill dealing with insurance and cladding remediation costs.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, said: “It is encouraging to hear that the UK government intends to progress with leasehold reform and that they are committed to making commonhold a default position for many.
“Propertymark welcomes Rayner’s pledge to introduce the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in March and we look forward to working with them on meeting their ambitious target of constructing 1.5m new homes.
“However, while the Housing Secretary is intent on scrapping Section 21, which she believes is the answer to ending homelessness, it is essential there is full clarity from the UK Government on how it intends to address issues which Propertymark has highlighted, such as the anticipated backlog it will cause within the courts system.”