Members of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet have had housing targets in their constituencies reduced, despite the government’s efforts to build more homes across the UK. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasized the importance of everyone contributing to the plan to construct more homes during a recent announcement of new housebuilding targets.
As part of a plan to deliver 1.5 million additional homes in the UK, all councils in England will now have mandatory housing targets. However, an analysis by the Daily Mail revealed that the targets, determined by an algorithm, will be decreased in many constituencies held by cabinet ministers.
For example, Sir Keir’s constituency of Camden will see its annual target reduced from 2,842 to 2,715 homes. In Tottenham, David Lammy’s constituency, the target has been lowered from 3,431 to 2,716 homes. Similarly, Redbridge in Wes Streeting’s constituency will experience a significant decrease from 3,682 to 2,270 homes per year.
Even work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall’s constituency of Leicester will have its yearly target reduced from 2,435 to 1,690 homes. Louise Haigh’s Sheffield constituency will see a decrease from 3,036 to 2,667 homes, while Darren Jones’ Bristol constituency will have the target slashed from 3,378 to 3,057 homes.
On the other hand, some cabinet ministers like chancellor Rachel Reeves and education secretary Bridget Philipson have seen an increase in their constituencies’ housing targets. For instance, Rishi Sunak’s North Yorkshire constituency will see a triple increase in targets from 1,361 to 4,232 homes. James Cleverly’s Braintree constituency will experience a 25% increase from 813 to 1,098 homes per year.
Overall, Tory-run councils have seen an average increase of 43.3% in their housing targets, while Labour authorities have experienced an average increase of 7.2%. Deputy Prime Minister Rayner highlighted the severity of the housing crisis in the UK, stating that the number of new homes is expected to fall below 200,000 this year, which she described as “unforgivable.”
The government aims to increase the overall housing target for the UK to 370,000, replacing the previous target of 300,000 homes per year. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been approached for comment regarding these changes in housing targets.
