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Government 'absolutely committed' to homes pledge, new Housing Secretary says

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UK Government Reaffirms Commitment to the Homes Pledge – New Housing Secretary Sets Ambitious Targets

The United Kingdom’s new Housing Secretary, Chris Heaton‑Harris, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the long‑term Homes Pledge announced last year, declaring that the department will deliver the promised 300,000 new homes per year by 2025. The pledge, which sits at the heart of the government’s “Housing White Paper,” seeks to tackle the country’s chronic housing shortage, provide more affordable homes, and reinvigorate the construction sector. The Secretary’s remarks, made in a series of press releases and briefings, underline the policy’s key components and outline the next steps for policy implementation.


A Three‑Year Target Reset

The new pledge replaces the earlier “Homes for the 2023” target, which was criticised for being too modest. The current goal is to construct 300,000 homes annually over the next three years – a steep climb from the roughly 70,000–80,000 units delivered in the most recent year. The ambition is grounded in a mix of public and private funding, local authority planning reform, and a new partnership model between local councils and developers.

Heaton‑Harris stressed that the target is “ambitious but achievable” and is backed by a “clear financing package” that includes the Housing, Planning and Local Governance Act, which gives local authorities a larger role in deciding where new homes can go. The minister announced that the Ministry of Housing will provide a £50 m grant to support the construction of “in‑community” housing – projects that are owned and managed by the local communities themselves.


Three Pillars of the Homes Pledge

  1. Planning Reform
    Local Authority Empowerment: The new legislation will shift the on‑us burden from developers to local councils. Councils will receive increased budgets for planning decisions, reducing the typical 18‑month wait for a planning application to be approved.
    Streamlined Process: A “one‑stop‑shop” system is being piloted in Kent and Manchester to condense multiple approvals into a single application, with an online portal for status tracking.

  2. Financial Mechanism
    Developer Incentives: Developers who achieve the target will be eligible for a 10% reduction in the land value duty (LVD).
    Public‑Private Partnerships: The government will open up a £2 billion “Housing Delivery Fund,” targeting investors that commit to mixed‑use or affordable housing in high‑growth regions.
    Mortgage Assistance: The Treasury has earmarked £500 m for first‑time homebuyers to secure more accessible mortgage products.

  3. Affordable Housing Delivery
    National Affordable Housing Standard: New homes will be built to meet a standard that ensures affordability for a minimum of 30 % of buyers.
    Community Housing Initiative: The government will fund the acquisition of vacant public housing for community‑managed projects, aiming to turn 1,500 former council houses into community trusts.


Tackling Supply‑Chain and Labour Constraints

Heaton‑Harris acknowledged that supply‑chain disruptions and a shortage of skilled workers threaten to stall progress. To counter this, the government will collaborate with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to launch a “Skills Boost” program that will fund apprenticeships and upskilling courses. In partnership with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the plan includes an “Industry‑Led Innovation Hub” to share best practices for modular and off‑site construction, reducing build time and costs.

The Secretary also committed to revisiting the “UK Building Materials Supply Chain” strategy, with a focus on domestic production of key materials such as timber, steel, and concrete. In a statement, Heaton‑Harris said: “We will invest in the domestic manufacturing of building materials to reduce reliance on imports and mitigate the impact of global price shocks.”


Public Response and Regional Focus

The Homes Pledge has drawn support from a broad coalition of stakeholders. Local governments across England, Wales, and Scotland have welcomed the increased planning powers. The Housing Federation of England (HFE) praised the new funding mechanisms, citing a “reduction in planning delays and a more predictable cost‑structure for developers.”

However, environmental groups have voiced concerns that the rapid expansion of new homes could increase carbon emissions and strain local ecosystems. In response, the government pledged to embed “net‑zero” standards in all new builds, targeting a 50 % reduction in embodied carbon by 2035.

Heaton‑Harris emphasised that the pledge would be applied with a “regional lens.” He noted that certain high‑growth areas such as the South East, the Midlands, and the North of England would receive additional subsidies to accelerate development, while rural regions would receive targeted support to maintain local services and preserve cultural landscapes.


Looking Ahead

The government’s next step involves a series of consultations and a detailed implementation plan that will be released in the next budget speech. Heaton‑Harris outlined that the policy will be evaluated annually against the 300,000‑unit target, with adjustments made to planning criteria or financial incentives as required.

In his closing remarks, the Housing Secretary underlined that the Homes Pledge is not merely a construction programme but a strategic response to a broader housing crisis. “By aligning planning, finance, and community engagement, we are not just building houses – we are building futures,” he said.


Summary

  • Target: 300,000 homes per year for the next three years (2025).
  • Key reforms: Local authority planning powers, streamlined processes, developer incentives, public‑private funding.
  • Affordable housing: 30 % affordability mandate, community housing trusts.
  • Supply‑chain focus: Domestic material production, apprenticeship funding, modular construction.
  • Public sentiment: Broad support, environmental caution.
  • Next steps: Annual reviews, implementation plan in budget.

The UK’s Homes Pledge is a bold attempt to address the country’s pressing need for more housing. With a comprehensive policy framework that balances speed, affordability, and sustainability, the new Housing Secretary’s commitment signals a decisive move toward ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and sustainable homes.


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