Promises to hit the ground running from the Labour party

According to The Sunday Times, Labour plans to increase housebuilding rapidly if it wins the upcoming election. Labour leader Keir Starmer promises to “hit the ground running” and “turbocharge” housebuilding from “day one,” including a local authority-led review of greenbelt land. In a joint interview with Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, it is anticipated that at least three housing announcements are expected within the first two weeks of a Labour government.

Implementing the ‘grey belt’ land

Shadow housing secretary Angela Rayner aims to launch a housebuilding programme in the party’s second week. By the third week, local authorities will be instructed to regularly review greenbelt boundaries to meet housing targets, potentially reclassifying areas for development.

Reeves emphasized the need to re-evaluate the greenbelt, particularly lower quality “grey belt” land.

Labour plans to publish a draft National Planning Policy Framework reinstating housing targets and recruiting 300 planning officers to expedite permissions. A “first dibs” scheme will prioritize new homes for local residents over overseas investors.

Labour aims to build 1.5 million homes during the next parliament, gradually increasing to potentially exceed the Conservatives’ target of 300,000 homes per year by the end of the term.