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Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has indicated to the BBC that there is only a “slim chance” the government will achieve its target of constructing 1.5 million homes in England by the next general election. She highlighted challenges such as rising construction costs and international events, including the conflict involving Iran, as key obstacles slowing progress toward this major Labour manifesto commitment.
Despite these difficulties, Rayner emphasized her determination not to abandon the goal. She pointed out that the government is actively making progress by investing substantial funds in social and affordable housing projects. However, she also acknowledged the reality that meeting the target, which requires building an average of 300,000 homes annually—a rate unseen in recent decades—would be very challenging. She described this ambition as a “stretch target” and spoke candidly about the obstacles faced.
Rayner also noted the Prime Minister’s strong directive to prioritize council house construction. She pointed out that home starts had increased by 15% in the previous year, suggesting that the government’s initiatives are having a positive impact. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to launch the largest council housing building program since the post-war era, though he has yet to provide detailed plans.
However, official data and independent analysis paint a more cautious picture. According to BBC Verify, the number of new homes built during Labour’s first year in office actually declined, continuing a downward trend seen during the previous Conservative government. Estimates based on Energy Performance Certificate registrations, which serve as a prompt indicator of new housing, showed that around 203,000 new homes were constructed in the 12 months to June 2026. This figure falls short of the 300,000 per year necessary to meet the overall target, underlining the significant gap that remains
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