With the recent announcement of a new Labour government in the UK, there are several potential changes that could be implemented in relation to housing. These proposed changes aim to address the country’s housing shortage and promote affordability.
The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, used her first speech to the treasury to outline the government’s plans in relation to housing.
In this blog, we will explore some of the key areas that may undergo significant changes under the new government.
Changes to Planning Rules
One of the key areas under review is the country’s planning regulations. The current system is often criticised for being too slow and unresponsive, leading to delays in housebuilding. The new government has proposed to ‘unlock’ the planning system to improve infrastructure and increase housing supply.
The Labour government has said it will write to councils advising of the need to prioritise brownfield and “grey belt” land for development.
The government will also support local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country.
In a further effort to create new housing, the government has outlined plans to create a task force to “accelerate stalled housing sites.”
Mandatory Housebuilding Targets
To address the country’s housing shortage, the new government has said it will introduce mandatory housebuilding targets. These targets would force local authorities and developers to build a certain number of homes each year. This would help alleviate the pressure on the housing market and ensure that demand is met.
Critics argue that these targets can be inflexible and may not take into account the local context and constraints.
The Labour manifesto pledged to build 1.5 million homes before the end of Parliament, and Rachel Reeves re-affirmed this in her inaugural speech.
Section 21
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 allows landlords in England to evict tenants without giving a reason, commonly known as ‘no-fault evictions’. The new Labour government has vowed to reform this aspect of the housing law to protect tenants from being unfairly evicted.
A ban on no-fault evictions had been promised by the Conservative government back in 2019 but was delayed on a number of occasions.
The new Labour government’s plans to transform the housing sector in the UK have the potential to bring about significant changes. From streamlining the planning process to introducing mandatory housebuilding targets and reforming Section 21, the new government aims to address the housing shortage and promote affordability. These proposals, if implemented effectively, could have a significant impact on the country’s housing landscape.
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