Britain’s housing minister has cast doubt on the government’s ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million new homes, citing a deeper than anticipated supply downturn in the housing sector.
Matthew Pennycook, addressing MPs at the House of Commons housing committee, revealed the stark reality of the “difficult inheritance” from the previous Conservative administration. The minister’s candid admission highlights the significant obstacles facing Labour’s flagship housing programme.
The target, a cornerstone of Sir Keir Starmer’s election campaign, appears increasingly challenging against historical context. The UK has not achieved an annual construction rate of 300,000 homes since 1977, with yearly averages hovering around 200,000.
Industry experts, including the National Housing Federation and Home Builders Federation, project the government will miss its target by approximately one-third. The construction sector’s training body has identified a critical shortfall of more than 150,000 skilled workers, potentially derailing the ambitious building plans.
Within Whitehall, pressure is mounting for ministers to acknowledge the target’s unattainability during this parliament. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed doubts about the feasibility of any detailed analysis supporting the 1.5 million home goal.
Despite these challenges, Pennycook maintains his confidence in achieving the target, whilst acknowledging external factors such as economic shocks could impact delivery. The minister pointed to “anti-supply” planning policy changes implemented during the Conservative government’s final year as exacerbating the current situation.
Recent data from Savills indicates 221,452 new homes were constructed in the year ending September, significantly below the required rate to meet the five-year target. The real estate consultancy forecasts further decline in supply over the coming twelve months.
The government is currently reviewing planning reforms and preparing proposals to enhance cooperation between local authorities on housing development, potentially adopting a London-style model nationwide.
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