All policy articles
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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
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NewsLGA calls for ‘minimum’ £2 a week rent convergence with flexibilities for further increases
G15 wants £3 convergence
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NewsNHF urges government to set £3 per week uplift for social housing rent convergence
Trade body says £3 cap would help housing associations raise £3.4bn over 10 years but Northern Housing Consortium calls for £2 limit
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CommentOnly a £3 rent convergence premium can restore housing associations’ financial capacity quickly enough
As the government’s consultation on how to re-introduce the policy closes, Paul Hackett makes the case for a higher ceiling on rent increases.
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NewsCIH and homelessness charities criticise Home Office decision to halve refugee “move-on” period
Change will make it “impossible” for people to secure housing, institute warns