Bureaucracy-busting is Reeve's next move to boost house building
The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed more about the UK Government’s plans to accelerate housebuilding and reform the planning system in a speech delivered on 29 January 2025. Highlighting the role of housing in economic growth, she announced measures designed to unlock development, remove planning barriers, and encourage investment in infrastructure projects.
Balancing sustainability with practicality for EV charging
Propertymark has submitted a comprehensive response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on electric vehicle (EV) charging requirements and written to Baroness Taylor to highlight the need for balanced support across the UK. While welcoming efforts to reduce carbon emissions, we raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and the broader impacts on the housing market.
New National Planning Policy Framework will support builders not blockers
Mandatory housing targets, more funding for planning officers and a definition of ‘grey belt’ land feature in the new rules published on 12 December 2024. The revised framework underpins the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to build 1.5 million homes over five years.
Rayner vows to release planning chokehold on growth with system overhaul
In a working paper published on 9 December 2024, the Secretary of State for Housing sets out options for revolution in the national planning system, which will be introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Proposals focus on modernising, up-skilling, and empowering local planning officers and committees to operate as effectively as possible and deliver the homes and infrastructure which are desperately needed across the country.
Labour's 'ambitious yet honest' plans leave housing delivery questions unanswered
The Rt Hon. Sir Kier Starmer, MP, announced his Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government in a high-profile, tone-setting speech on 5 December 2024. Drawing attention to the fact that housing starts and permissions are at their lowest for a decade, the Prime Minister insisted that the housing crisis will not be solved without approving controversial developments. However, with no new detail about how the targets will be achieved, the housing sector is left guessing.
Propertymark influences leading UK Government taskforce
The Older People’s Housing Taskforce has published a final report which includes many recommendations made by Propertymark. We met with the taskforce chair, Professor Julienne Meyer, and responded to the consultation, with proposals to enhance the choice, quality and security of housing for senior citizens.
UK Government edict says all high-rise homes should be made safe by 2030
The Remediation Acceleration Plan is the first scheme to set a deadline for completing work on all buildings in England with unsafe cladding. So far, only 30% of known at-risk buildings have been fully remediated, and it’s estimated that as many as 7,000 are still to be identified. Building Safety Minister, Alex Norris, MP, stated three aims; to fix buildings faster, identify all those with unsafe cladding, and support vulnerable residents.
Target unsafe cladding levy at the culprits, not the whole sector
Propertymark has criticised the Scottish Government’s proposals for implementing a Building Safety Levy, stating that it is not the best way to fund the remediation of unsafe cladding, and risks cutting the supply of homes. Instead, charges should be directed to the developers and individuals responsible for installing the cladding in roughly 6,000 buildings across the country.
More ambitious plans are needed to provide essential housing
The Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government identifies providing access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing as an immediate priority and acknowledges the pressing need for action. Propertymark supports this aim and has made specific recommendations to accelerate progress.
Brownfield Passports: Propertymark calls for flexibility and control
Prioritising local housing needs is key to addressing the housing crisis. We support the UK Government’s proposals, but they must be thoughtfully implemented to encourage development while ensuring benefits for local communities.
Budget aims to unlock housing with investment in affordable homes
The UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, MP, delivered the first Labour Budget for 14 years on 30 October 2024, announcing tax increases worth £40 billion. Whilst agents will be relieved not to see a hike in Capital Gains rates, it is disappointing that the reversal of Section 24 and support for property owners to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have been overlooked. It is also a missed opportunity to give structured support to first-time buyers and downsizers to boost consumer confidence.
Phil Spencer backs Propertymark's call for Stamp Duty reform
The property expert and MoveiQ founder has agreed with the proposals we submitted in our Autumn Budget representation. This Budget offers Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP a real opportunity to promote much-needed progress in the sector. Her decisions regarding SDLT reform, support for first-time buyers and energy efficiency, and the clarity she provides on landlord taxation, will be crucial in determining the future direction of the UK housing market.
Councils call for greater support to deliver affordable and decent homes
The Local Government Association (LGA) submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system has been released. It urges the UK Government to collaborate more closely with local councils, to improve and increase the delivery of affordable and social housing and calls for the necessary resources and powers to ensure the successful delivery of local housing plans.
Structural flaws in housebuilding to be rectified
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has responded to recommendations made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) based on their year-long investigation of residential construction in England, Scotland, and Wales. Ministers agree that reform is essential to ensure the market delivers homes that the country needs and have committed to creating a long-term housing strategy with the buy-in of local authorities, developers, landowners and investors.
Multi-million-pound boost to brownfield development must balance speed, quality and infrastructure
Targeted at clearing empty buildings, former car parks, and industrial land for development, the £68 million will be delivered directly to 54 councils through the Brownfield Land Release Fund. The UK Government has stated that 5,400 houses will be built across the UK with projects in Manchester, Eastbourne, Northampton, and Weston-Super-Mare already confirmed.
Key barriers to new home delivery missed in plans for reform
Practical measures to ensure local demand is properly considered and a realistic approach to incentives for developers and landowners are key issues Propertymark members highlighted in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation.