Rayner Spells Out New Plans for Better Housing Sector

At the recent Labour Party Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, laid out bold plans to reform the UK’s housing sector.

Her speech highlighted the ongoing issues facing homeowner and homebuyers, while focusing on a solution-driven agenda to transform housing policy, with a particular emphasis on building new homes.

A Focus on New Builds and Affordable Housing

One of the central elements of Rayner’s plan is a commitment to increase the number of homes being built, particularly focusing on social and affordable housing. “Our new planning framework will unlock the door to affordable homes and provide the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation,” Rayner promised, underlining her government’s goal to ensure that everyone, particularly working people, could access decent homes.

This drive for new builds marks a shift in focus toward addressing the housing shortfall head-on. By speeding up the planning process and making it easier to build new homes, the Labour government aims to combat the housing crisis at its root cause: a lack of supply. New homes will not only be built in greater numbers, but they will also be designed to meet high standards of safety, warmth, and security.

Tackling Leasehold and Homelessness

Rayner also outlined plans to reform the leasehold system, which she described as “medieval.” Leaseholders, who often find themselves paying exorbitant fees and dealing with unresponsive freeholders, will be freed from what Rayner called the “tyranny” of this outdated system. Labour will introduce reforms to modernise leasehold and make homeownership fairer and more transparent.

In addition to these sweeping changes for homeowners, Rayner reaffirmed Labour’s commitment to addressing homelessness. A crossgovernment task force will work to put Britain back on track to ending homelessness, a problem that has surged in recent years. “Whether you’re a leaseholder, a tenant, a home-buyer, or without somewhere to live – this government is on your side,” Rayner stated, emphasising the broad scope of Labour’s housing mission.

A Partnership with Housing Providers

Acknowledging the challenges faced by housing associations, councils, and landlords under the previous government, Rayner emphasised that the Labour government would work in partnership with the sector to deliver these reforms. She praised many of the good actors in the sector but made it clear that bad practices, particularly regarding damp and mould in rental properties, would not be tolerated.

“We will consult and implement a new Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, to end the scandal of homes being unfit to live in,” Rayner pledged, signalling that both renters and homeowners deserve homes that are safe and liveable.

Devolving Power to Local Authorities

In her speech, Rayner also highlighted the benefits of devolved power, praising Labour mayors for the progress they had made in their regions. To further support local initiatives, the Labour government will give mayors more authority over house building and planning, as well as transport and skills, to better meet the needs of their communities.

Building a Better Future

Angela Rayner’s speech made it clear that Labour’s housing policy is hoping to be about more than just numbers – also quality, safety, and fairness. The plan to increase new builds, alongside reforms to the rental and leasehold systems, represents a comprehensive approach to tackling the housing crisis.

With a focus on affordable housing and stronger tenant protections, Rayner’s message to the British public is clear: Labour is committed to building not just houses, but homes. Time will tell whether the government will be able to deliver on these new proposals.