The Welsh Government has committed £90 million in low-interest loans to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to support the delivery of affordable housing and improve existing homes across Wales. The funding aims to help RSLs manage the rising borrowing costs while ensuring the continued development of much-needed affordable homes. The latest round of loans will contribute to the delivery of 277 new homes, with 119 expected to be completed within the current Senedd term.

Cyngor Gwynedd (Gwynedd Council) was quick to use new tax powers to raise the premium rate for second homes and short-term lets (STLs) to a rate of 150% from April 2023 and went on to be the first council to use an Article 4 direction, removing permitted development rights to change a main home into a second home or short-term holiday accommodation, in September 2024. The outcomes of implementing these new measures are being carefully watched by the housing sector.

The UK Government is proposing changes to the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme intended to create a fairer and more sustainable system which retains the opportunity for social housing tenants to buy their homes while supporting councils to replace properties that are sold. Propertymark is supportive of the proposals, which include increasing the length of time someone needs to have been a public sector tenant, amending discount percentages, and allowing Councils to ask for repayment of discounts if the property is resold within ten years.

One of the key themes of the White Paper is the Welsh Government’s commitment to achieving housing adequacy — a concept that includes affordability, security, and access to quality housing. While Propertymark agrees with this goal and supports enshrining housing adequacy as a human right in Welsh law, we have urged policymakers to focus on pro-growth policies rather than introducing restrictions that will force landlords out of the market.

The Welsh Government’s response to the Local Government and Housing Committee's report on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) demonstrates alignment with Propertymark on key areas, such as the importance of the sector, the need for better data, and support for landlords and tenants.

This report has been produced by the Wales Tourism Alliance (WTA) in association with Propertymark—acting in an independent role—for submission to Jayne Bryant MS, the Housing Cabinet Secretary. It formed the discussion at the roundtable meeting in Cardiff on 12 November 2024.

The Rt Hon. Sir Kier Starmer, MP, announced his Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government in a high-profile, tone-setting speech on 5 December 2024. Drawing attention to the fact that housing starts and permissions are at their lowest for a decade, the Prime Minister insisted that the housing crisis will not be solved without approving controversial developments. However, with no new detail about how the targets will be achieved, the housing sector is left guessing.

The Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government identifies providing access to affordable, sustainable, and quality housing as an immediate priority and acknowledges the pressing need for action. Propertymark supports this aim and has made specific recommendations to accelerate progress.

Planning has not created a housing emergency — but it can help solve the challenges. The Scottish Government is focused on identifying how its planning system can help to provide solutions with the introduction of a new Housing Planning Hub that will be launched and operational in early 2025.

Prioritising local housing needs is key to addressing the housing crisis. We support the UK Government’s proposals, but they must be thoughtfully implemented to encourage development while ensuring benefits for local communities.

Propertymark has joined organisations representing tenants, landlords, and other housing providers to call for the UK Government to secure Local Housing Allowance to the 30th percentile of rents and carry out a thorough assessment of the case for raising it to the 50th percentile.

The UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, MP, delivered the first Labour Budget for 14 years on 30 October 2024, announcing tax increases worth £40 billion. Whilst agents will be relieved not to see a hike in Capital Gains rates, it is disappointing that the reversal of Section 24 and support for property owners to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards have been overlooked. It is also a missed opportunity to give structured support to first-time buyers and downsizers to boost consumer confidence.

The Local Government Association (LGA) submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system has been released. It urges the UK Government to collaborate more closely with local councils, to improve and increase the delivery of affordable and social housing and calls for the necessary resources and powers to ensure the successful delivery of local housing plans.

Announcing his Programme for Government on 4 September 2024, the Scottish First Minister said proposals to give local authorities the power to cap rent increases would remain part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Ignoring stark warnings from Propertymark and other sector organisations, Mr Swinney claimed the measures will give tenants certainty and encourage investment in the private rented sector (PRS).

National Audit Office (NAO) findings show that statutory homelessness has worsened since the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) came into force in April 2018. A report, published on 23 July 2024, is highly critical of the previous Conservative UK Government for a lack of strategy, fragmented funding, and failure to address issues with housing supply.

A UK-first deal for renters and landlords will see standards across the rental sector improve under the Good Landlord Charter, as announced by Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor on 12 July, along with the promise of delivering thousands of new homes.