New Housing Secretary continues pledge to 'build baby build'

"(Image credit: Getty Images) Britain's new Housing Secretary has pledged to accelerate housebuilding as Labour ramps up efforts to tackle the housing crisis. Steve Reed, who stepped into the role after Angela Rayner's resignation, has adopted her well-known slogan, "build, baby build," to signal continuity and urgency. He told officials he would "pull every lever" build homes and deliver Labour's ambitious target of 1.5 million houses this parliament."

"Despite Reed's ambitious messaging, the scale of the task remains formidable. The UK's homebuilding sector is facing its longest slump since the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening the Government's target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. Industry experts warn that a shortage of skilled workers compounds the problem: an estimated 140,000 more construction workers are needed over the next five years, with another 61,000 required annually to meet housing targets."

Steve Reed pledged to accelerate housebuilding and to deliver Labour's target of 1.5 million homes this parliament. He adopted the slogan "build, baby build" and will convene developers and housebuilders to advance planning reform, focusing on about 1.4 million homes with planning permission that remain unbuilt. The homebuilding sector faces its longest slump since the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening the 1.5 million-by-2029 target. A shortage of skilled workers worsens the challenge, with estimates of 140,000 additional construction workers needed over five years and 61,000 required annually. Business confidence is low, leaving the housing goals at serious risk.

Read at Homebuilding