New towns to tackle housing crisis, says Labour

A Labour government will build a new generation of towns to tackle the housing crisis

Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, who holds the shadow housing brief, addressed the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF and said the party backed "developers who deliver" if it wins the next General Election.

A Labour government would set high standards on design, quality, affordable homes, green spaces and infrastructure, she said, with the new towns a crucial part of the party's plans to deal with the housing crisis.

Ms Rayner said: "Labour's new towns are just one part of our ambitious house-building agenda which will see swathes of good quality, affordable houses built in the national interest."

"Developers who deliver on their obligations to build high quality, well designed and sustainable affordable housing, with green spaces and transport links and schools and GPs surgeries nearby, will experience a new dawn under Labour. But those who have wriggled out of their responsibilities for too long will be robustly held to account."

"Labour's towns of the future will be built on the foundations of our past. The post-war period taught us that when the government plays a strategic role in housebuilding, we can turbo-charge growth to the benefit of working people across Britain. That is what Labour's plans will achieve."

RIBA responded to the UK Labour Party’s proposed measures to deliver new housing if it wins the upcoming general election.

President Muyiwa Oki said: “Given the scale and complexity of the housing crisis, commitments to deliver new well-designed, high quality and sustainable homes and places at scale are welcome.

“Architects stand ready to design the millions of high quality affordable new homes required and, as today’s announcement acknowledges, we will prioritise access to green spaces, transport, and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals - all vital for people and places to thrive.

“Delays in the planning system have held up necessary development for too long. Measures to unlock brownfield and grey belt land and work alongside local leaders, to speed up delivery of homes where they are needed most, is a vital step.

“But to make this happen, the Government must comprehensively resource local planning departments with the skills and expertise needed to ensure all new homes are up to standard.

“Today’s plan outlines some positive first steps. We will work with whomever forms the next Government to deliver the homes we deserve.”