LABOUR POWER WOMEN: HOW WILL RAYNER AND REEVES TRANSFORM THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
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(Photo credit: wirestock via Freepik)
The Labour Party has had an eventful first week, its newly elected women members in particular, after securing 412 seats and the largest majority government in 25 years. Angela Rayner's appointment as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, along with Rachel Reeves becoming the first woman Chancellor of the Exchequer, marks a transformative moment in UK government. With these dynamic leaders stepping into key roles, the UK construction sector is ready for significant change.
In its General Election manifesto, the Labour Party promised to “get Britain building again” and deliver 1.5 new homes across the UK. At the heart of Labour's ambitious plans is also a comprehensive overhaul of the planning system and the launch of the Warm Homes Plan to boost the energy efficiency of five million homes by investing an extra £6.6 billion over the next parliament.
The Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves MP delivered her first speech last Monday, emphasising stability, investment, and reform as the three key pillars for driving the country towards economic growth. The Chancellor confirmed Labour’s commitment to reinstating compulsory housebuilding and achieving the 1.5 million homes target during this parliament but clarified that this was not a “green light” for any type of housing development.
(Photo credit: Nick Kane via Unsplash)
In her speech aimed at boosting the sector, Ms. Reeves detailed that planning decisions for major UK infrastructure projects will be executed nationally rather than locally to prevent delays. She also announced that green belt boundaries will be reviewed to prioritise brownfield and "grey belt" land, such as unused car parks or wasteland. To expedite the planning process and overcome current development barriers, additional planning officers will also be appointed, the BBC reports.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer also mentioned that the current plans include building the “right mix” of affordable housing and homes for social rent, which will be overseen by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Angela Rayner was appointed as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government on July 5th in Keir Starmer’s cabinet, replacing Michael Gove, who had held the position since October 2022.
However, critical questions arise. Are Labour’s ambitions to reinstate compulsory housebuilding realistic, and where will the funds come from to finance such an initiative? Since the 1950s, Britain has consistently fallen short of constructing the 300,000 new homes annually needed to meet the 1.5 million target.
Despite reassurances from Reeves regarding Labour’s intent to take bold steps not feasible under previous administrations, housing providers warn of the urgent need for an emergency cash injection into the affordable housing sector.
Housing associations and councils have emphasised to Angela Rayner that her promise to deliver “the biggest boost to affordable housing in a generation” relies on immediate interventions to alleviate the financial pressure on providers.
While no specific date has been set for the next Budget outlining the government’s spending plans, the Chancellor has indicated it can be expected this autumn.
(Photo credit: Marcin Nowak via Unsplash)
Director for policy, external affairs and research at CIOB, Eddie Tuttle, added: “A new government offers the opportunity to build new relationships with policymakers and help them understand the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
“The construction sector is reliant on stability, and we urge the Labour government to ensure consistency and longevity with policymaking and its communications with industry.”
With Rayner's focus on regional disparities and community development, and Reeves' expertise in economic strategy and pledge to "get Britain building again," their combined leadership promises significant advancements in housing and infrastructure in the coming years. UK Construction Week returns to Birmingham from October 1-3 to bring together key decision-makers and discuss how these plans can be transformed into actionable insights.
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