Record-low approval rates for building permits, according to new findings
In a bid to tackle the worst housing crisis in living memory, the UK government has unveiled a series of pro-growth measures aimed at delivering 1.5 million new homes across the country[1][3]. The ambitious plan, which includes increasing housing supply, addressing affordability, rebuilding sector capacity, and boosting planning reforms, is expected to improve housing standards and ensure long-term stability in the housing sector[1][2][3][4].
The government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme, worth £39 billion over 10 years, aims to deliver around 300,000 new homes, with at least 60% earmarked for social rent tied to local incomes[1][2]. This forms part of the broader Plan for Change, targeting the delivery of 1.5 million new homes to meet growing demand[1].
To address affordability and social rent, the programme seeks a "social rent revolution" by modernizing rent policy and offering long-term rent settlements from 2026, providing social landlords with the stability to borrow and invest in new and existing homes[2][4].
Rebuilding sector capacity and regulatory stability is another key focus, with measures including increased grant funding, access to low-interest loans, and a stable regulatory regime to give housing providers the confidence to scale up building efforts[2][4].
The government's planning overhaul has reversed previous anti-supply measures, enabling the highest UK housebuilding levels in over 40 years while ensuring the necessary community infrastructure is developed alongside housing[3]. The emphasis is on working with local councils and housing providers to deliver homes at scale, ensuring balanced regional contributions to resolving the crisis[1][3].
To further support councils, the government has announced an additional £100million to bolster local resources and plans to recruit 300 planning officers to aid in the approval of homes[2]. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also introduced a landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to overhaul planning committees and fast track and streamline decisions[2].
However, the number of projects given the greenlight last year was just over 30,000, the smallest number since records began in 1979[5]. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has acknowledged that the figures show the scale of the housing crisis and a broken planning system that stunted growth[6].
The government has not yet specified how councils will be granted new powers to seize land and speed up building, although it has mentioned plans to bring forward pro-growth measures, such as mandatory housing targets through an updated National Planning Policy Framework[1].
On a separate note, Islington has opened a new community café to address food poverty, but the details of the initiative are not provided in the article[7]. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council is taking steps to tackle drug and alcohol harm, but the specifics of the plan are not detailed[8].
In summary, the government’s pro-growth approach aims to boost supply, improve quality, and stabilize the social housing sector with the ultimate goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes to alleviate the housing shortage and improve housing affordability and standards across the UK[1][2][3][4].
[1] GOV.UK (2021). Plan for Change: A new deal for England’s towns and cities. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plan-for-change-a-new-deal-for-englands-towns-and-cities/plan-for-change-a-new-deal-for-englands-towns-and-cities
[2] GOV.UK (2021). Social housing green paper: Consultation response. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-housing-green-paper-consultation-response/social-housing-green-paper-consultation-response
[3] GOV.UK (2021). Planning for the future: White Paper. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-for-the-future-white-paper/planning-for-the-future-white-paper
[4] GOV.UK (2021). Social housing green paper: Next steps. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-housing-green-paper-next-steps/social-housing-green-paper-next-steps
[5] GOV.UK (2021). Housing starts fall to lowest level since 1979. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-starts-fall-to-lowest-level-since-1979
[6] GOV.UK (2021). Housing starts fall to lowest level since 1979. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-starts-fall-to-lowest-level-since-1979
[7] Islington Gazette (2021). Islington opens new community café to address food poverty. [online] Available at: https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/islington-opens-new-community-cafe-to-address-food-poverty-1-6185302
[8] Yorkshire Evening Post (2021). Leeds City Council to tackle drug and alcohol harm. [online] Available at: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/leeds-city-council-to-tackle-drug-and-alcohol-harm-1-6183420
- The government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme is part of the broader Plan for Change, which targets delivering 1.5 million new homes, with £39 billion allocated over 10 years, and at least 60% of the new homes earmarked for social rent tied to local incomes.
- To address affordability and social rent, the government plans a "social rent revolution" by modernizing rent policy, offering long-term rent settlements from 2026, and providing social landlords with stability to borrow and invest in new and existing homes.
- The government's planning overhaul has reversed previous anti-supply measures, enabling the highest UK housebuilding levels in over 40 years, while ensuring the necessary community infrastructure is developed alongside housing, and working closely with local councils and housing providers to deliver homes at scale.
- In addition to housing initiatives, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced an additional £100 million to bolster local resources, and plans to recruit 300 planning officers to aid in the approval of homes, as well as introducing a landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to overhaul planning committees and fast track and streamline decisions.
