Building Continues Under New Housing Secretary, Emphasizing 'Construct More Homes'
Steve Reed, the new Housing Secretary in Britain, has taken up his post following the sudden resignation of Angela Rayner. Reed's appointment signals a shift in style and emphasis in Labour's approach to housing, as he aims to deliver on the party's ambitious target of 1.5 million houses this parliament.
The focus of Reed's efforts will be on the 1.4 million homes that already have planning permission but have yet to be built. The housing crisis, a daunting challenge for Labour, is at risk due to the current situation, with the UK's housebuilding sector experiencing its longest slump since the COVID-19 pandemic. Business confidence is low, with only 34% of firms expecting growth in the coming year.
To address this, Reed has pledged to accelerate housebuilding and has adopted the slogan "build, baby build" from Angela Rayner. He is planning to bring together developers and housebuilders this week to discuss the urgent need for more homes.
A shortage of skilled workers is compounding the problem, with an estimated 140,000 more construction workers needed over the next five years and another 61,000 required annually to meet housing targets. Reed's record as Environment Secretary is cited as a reason for optimism, due to his decisive reforms.
A source from the housing department expresses optimism, stating that Reed will leave no stone unturned to build the homes Britain desperately needs. Without substantial intervention to stimulate activity and address workforce shortages, Labour's ambitious housing goals remain at serious risk.
On Twitter, Steve Reed posted "It's time to BUILD, BABY, BUILD🇬🇧" on September 8, 2025, signalling his commitment to tackling the housing crisis head-on. The housing department is eager to see the results of Reed's efforts in the coming months, as the pressure on Sir Keir Starmer's Government intensifies due to the sudden resignation of Angela Rayner.
