“The IMF, Office of Budget Responsibility and the Treasury Select Committee have all warned that the government's Help to Buy scheme will push up house prices but have limited impact on increasing badly needed affordable house building.” Jack Dromey, Shadow Housing Minister, July 5th 2013 The government is introducing a new version of Help to … Continue reading Revamped Help to Buy – underwriting high house prices
Category: Labour government
Social rent council housing should be the Government’s first housing priority
This is an article for the Red Brick Blog. Editor Rose Grayston has said that our campaign "is right that we don't yet have the policy to meet Labour's promise on the biggest council house building programme since 1980." The first tranche of funding for the Government's Social & Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) has been … Continue reading Social rent council housing should be the Government’s first housing priority
Labour conference votes for 90,000 social rent council homes a year, ending Right to Buy and cancelling council housing debt
At this year's Labour conference the Labour Campaign for Council Housing's resolution, sent in by at least 10 CLPs, was kept off the agenda by a decision of the Conference Arrangements Committee1. It was judged not to be a 'contemporary motion' because, we were told, the National Policy Forum report had 'substantially' covered the issues … Continue reading Labour conference votes for 90,000 social rent council homes a year, ending Right to Buy and cancelling council housing debt
73,000 homes for “strategic partners” but just 3.8% are council homes
The government has announced the first tranche of funding for its Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36, for "Strategic Partners". There has been much hyperbole and misinformation accompanying the announcement of the first funding for the government's Social & Affordable Homes Programme. The official Labour Party Twitter account said that “Labour is funding more than … Continue reading 73,000 homes for “strategic partners” but just 3.8% are council homes
Private funding is no solution to the housing crisis
Andy Haldane is an (informal) economic advisor to the government. His view on how to resolve the housing crisis is, therefore, of greater importance than if it was just the opinion of a private individual. He has written an article published in the Financial Times, “How to fix the housing crisis”. His 'model' is essentially … Continue reading Private funding is no solution to the housing crisis
Here’s why we need to talk about council housing at this Labour Party conference
Last year, the Conference Arrangements Committee ruled out all resolutions calling for urgent action to resolve the housing crisis. The CAC claimed that the resolutions submitted did not “relate to a new issue not substantially covered in the National Policy Forum report.” When it was pointed out to the CAC that there was no substantial … Continue reading Here’s why we need to talk about council housing at this Labour Party conference
Rent Controls & Council Housing Now – protest in Parliament Square
Statement: Time to end the housing crisis Millions of us need to see the new Government's statements on council homes and support for renters turned into action. Our communities are experiencing severe disrepair, at the mercy of rogue landlords, others sent by councils across the country or with high rents leading to destitution. We need … Continue reading Rent Controls & Council Housing Now – protest in Parliament Square
Letter to the Chancellor on cancelling Housing Revenue Account debt
Dear John Congratulations on being appointed chancellor. You are now in a position where you can facilitate the improvement of existing homes, and the delivery of a new generation of council homes, that are so desperately needed to help resolve the housing crisis. I have taken the opportunity on behalf of the Labour Campaign for … Continue reading Letter to the Chancellor on cancelling Housing Revenue Account debt
Right to Buy sales nearly double in 2025/26
Right to Buy sales of council homes in England nearly doubled in 2025/26 to 14,275. There were 7,520 sold in 2024/25. The Labour government reduced discounts to tenants to between £16,000 and £38,000 (see the regional breakdown). The deadline for applications under the much higher discounts was November 21st 2024. Applications made before that date … Continue reading Right to Buy sales nearly double in 2025/26
Labour Must Learn to Love Democracy Again
Chris Hinchliff, MP writes In its dying days, the Starmer government is forcing through legislation that would demolish what remains of our democratic planning system. With thanks to Tribune An old quote still drifts around the legacy of Labour’s post-war Government: that it aimed to ‘tie so many knots’ in Britain’s architecture of power and … Continue reading Labour Must Learn to Love Democracy Again
