Angela Rayner promises to prioritise affordable housing if Labour win election

07 October 2023 , 17:15

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Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner (Image: Getty Images)

Angela Rayner says her “number one focus” in government would be to secure more affordable homes by getting tough with property developers.

Speaking ahead of the party conference, Labour’s deputy leader pledged to give councils more power to insist companies build in areas where they need homes – and ensure that they stick to their obligations to provide affordable housing. Ms Rayner, who is also Shadow Housing Secretary, declined to give a specific number when asked what Labour’s new homes target is, saying it must first “unlock the blockages” in the current system.

But she said the party was focused on exceeding the unmet Tory pledge of 300,000 new homes a year, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “That’s what my priority is. If I get into government, if we’re fortunate enough that the British people give us that opportunity, then my number one focus is to deliver on making sure we’ve got those houses for the future.”

Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer greet supporters in Liverpool (PA)

Labour is pledging to prevent developers “wriggling out” of their affordable housing obligations – known as section 106 rules – by introducing an expert unit to give councils and housing associations advice on negotiating with property firms. Companies could then only challenge the requirements if there were genuine barriers to building affordable homes.

Ms Rayner, who arrived in Liverpool alongside party leader Keir Starmer to cheers from crowds of supporters, has promised the proposals would help them deliver the “biggest boost to affordable housing for a generation”. Homelessness charity Shelter welcomed the plans as a “good start” but said only a national programme “backed by serious investment” would tackle the housing crisis.

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