All policy articles
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NewsThinktank calls for new asset class to boost housing for young professionals
Centre-right thinktank Onward proposes creating Purpose Built Young Professional Accommodation as a new asset-class with exemptions from space standards and affordable housing requirements to boost delivery for under-35s.
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NewsMPs call for CIL and section 106 changes as first step in land value capture overhaul
Committee also calls for government to ‘trial’ new mechanisms on New Towns
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NewsGovernment and City Hall confirm two-year cut in affordable housing requirements from 35% to 20%
Long-awaited package of support to boost housebuilding in London also includes changes to design standards, relief from levies and changes to mayoral powers, in bid to increase density of schemes and improve viability
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CommentWe can’t fix social cohesion without fixing housing
Secure homes are the foundation of safer, stronger, more united communities, argues Rachael Williamson
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NewsGovernment announces late-stage planning bill changes in bid to speed up housing, energy and water schemes
Ministers to be given new powers to stop councils refusing planning permission while they consider using ‘call-in’ powers
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NewsBadenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty in conference speech
Conservative leader pledges to “free up our housing market”
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CommentNow is not the time to panic about low planning approvals
As poor statistics continue to roll in Reed and Pennycook must hold their nerve, stick to their plan and be patient, argues Paul Smith
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NewsSector leaders welcome new towns announcement but warn of viability and infrastructure challenges
Calls for Homes England to step in and ‘de-risk’ 40%-affordable sites amid persistent construction cost hikes ...
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CommentGovernment must publish its plan for warm homes
The spending review contained positive funding announcements for retrofit but there are now several key steps needed to ensure the benefits are delivered, write Andy Piper and Matthew Turpin
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NewsCIH warns councils ‘trapped in unsustainable cycle’ as temporary accommodation spend continues to rise
Professional body urges government to address issue in autumn budget
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NewsGroup of MPs backs call to exempt SME housebuilders from regulations
A new nine-point plan drawn up by developer Pocket Living aims to reduce red tape for small and medium housebuilders
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CommentGovernment has delivered our asks but we can’t underestimate the scale of the task ahead
As we approach party conference season, Fiona Fletcher-Smith looks at what the sector now needs to tackle the housing crisis
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NewsRevamped Decent Homes Standard should not include communal and shared outdoor spaces, says G15
Sector bodies, including CIH and NHF, raise concerns about cost of proposed requirements as consultation closes
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In FocusWhat does the appointment of Steve Reed as new housing secretary mean for the sector?
Angela Rayner’s replacement held the shadow housing brief in 2021 and now he returns to the role in government. But although he has promised to ‘build, baby, build’, Reed lacks the influence on Keir Starmer that his predecessor had
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NewsRent increases should be linked to energy efficiency of homes, Housing Community Summit hears
Spending review positive for sector but uncertainty over detail of new funding programme remains
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NewsPennycook keeps housing brief following reshuffle of junior ministers
More than 20 new junior ministers appointed following Angela Rayner’s resignation
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NewsSteve Reed appointed housing secretary
Former Lambeth Council leader succeeds Angela Rayner, who stood down earlier today after underpaying stamp duty on a flat
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NewsRayner resigns as housing secretary
Political heavyweight who grew up on a council estate and pledged to prioritise social housing development steps down over criticism over stamp duty paid on a flat
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NewsMPs urge permanent link between LHA rates and 30th percentile of rents
Group also argues for a nationally-scaled Housing First programme
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NewsScottish government to invest nearly £5bn in affordable housing
Scotland’s Housing Emergency Action Plan aims to address nation’s housing crisis