Increase in mandatory annual housing construction targets to surpass 370,000, as announced by Angela Rayner

All Deputies should contribute in addressing the "severest housing predicament" in recent times.

, and Administrator

2025 September 14 . 11:24 PM

2 min read

Mandatory yearly housing goals exceeding 370,000 to be enforced, as declared by Angela Rayner

Increase in mandatory annual housing construction targets to surpass 370,000, as announced by Angela Rayner

Labour Unveils Ambitious New Housing Targets

In a bold move to address the UK's housing crisis, Labour's Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, has announced new mandatory housing targets of over 370,000 homes per year. This ambitious plan, Rayner claims, offers "extra stability for local authorities" compared to the Conservatives.

Rayner's plan focuses on various UK regions, including urban and underdeveloped areas. The emphasis is on accelerating planning approvals, simplifying regulations, and increasing local housing quotas to meet these targets. The plan also includes streamlining the planning process for new construction projects, with targeted incentives and reforms designed to boost affordable housing supply across regions impacted by housing shortages.

London, in particular, will see a shift in housing targets. Despite a drop from 100,000 to around 80,000 homes, Rayner claims this is not a lowering of ambition. She maintains that the target is realistic and a "huge ask," but still achievable. Rayner has also met with the mayor of London to discuss these targets.

The new housing targets will be calculated using a new method that reflects the urgency of supply for local areas. Local authorities will be required to plan for homes proportionate to the size of existing communities and incorporate an uplift where house prices are out of step with local incomes.

The new targets could potentially lead to the development of green belt land if councils fail to meet their housing targets. However, the focus is on encouraging councils to focus on building on brownfield sites and "grey belt" land.

The Government, on the other hand, is facing criticism over its new planning reforms. Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative MP, claims that Labour's reforms will remove the word "beautiful" from the National Planning Policy Framework. Badenoch also alleges that local councils are "afraid" they will be forced to "sacrifice their own green spaces," while urban areas will not have to take such measures.

The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, has questioned if new development plans by councils would have to start again using the new terms, and if the government would accept the Lib Dem target for 150,000 new social homes every year.

Rayner responds to criticism by saying that they have a mandate for real change and that everyone must play their part in addressing the housing crisis. She emphasises that Labour will work closely with councils to decide what kind of homes and where to meet local demand.

The housing crisis is a pressing issue in the UK, and these new targets and reforms aim to provide a solution. Only time will tell if they will be effective in addressing the shortage of affordable housing across the country.