Places for People response to Rachel Reeves' speech

Scott Black, Chief Operating Officer comments: 

Today’s statement from the Chancellor has our unequivocal support, we need more new homes and there is no time to waste. This is one of the most pressing issues for the UK, for economic growth, for families across the UK, and for us all at Places for People, whose mission is to build, help, and support communities across the UK. 

The measures Rachel Reeves has announced today are a positive first step for housing of all tenures including much-needed new affordable homes. As well as bringing forward the delivery of new homes, our own ‘Time to Build’ research illustrated that approximately three-quarters of people also want greater investment in local infrastructure to support new housebuilding, which must not be forgotten. 

Building must be scaled up now and we are ready to do our part to help. On top of mandatory housebuilding targets and a taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites, we think more can be done to get Britain building again. 

If we are to maximise investment into the sector and tackle the current housing crisis for those most in need, we need certainty and more specifically, confirmation on rent at CPI plus 1% while the financial settlement between Government and housing associations is reviewed. This would provide housing associations nationwide with the stability to invest in the homes they own and to accelerate building new homes. 

This is an exciting time, and we look forward to further details of the Government's strategy, including the greenbelt review and recruitment of 300 more people into planning which will help to get things moving again. For too long we haven’t done what is necessary to meet the nation’s supply and demand challenges, and it is great to hear the new Chancellor address some of the key barriers that have held us back for too long, so early in her tenure. But a clear framework that unlocks more land for new homes and delivers planning consents quickly and efficiently is needed if we are to meet the needs of the nation. At PFP we are here to help the government get Britain Building at scale and for everyone across the UK.