Rt Hon Vaughan Gething, MS, has set out his priorities for the rest of this Senedd term, with building safety, homelessness, visitor accommodation, and planning all forming part of the programme. Radical and transformative change which matters most in people’s lives is what the Welsh Government will be concentrating on, and the First Minister is looking forward to a renewed, genuine partnership with the new UK Government to unlock opportunities across Wales.

In a roundtable meeting with all the regional mayors in England, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have discussed how to scale up devolution and give regional governments greater control over unlocking economic growth, powered by housebuilding, in their areas. Local Growth Plans were also on the agenda, and the mayors were tasked to identify local specialisms and contribute to a national industrial strategy.

The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves made her first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer today, 8 July 2024, emphasising three key policy pillars of stability, investment, and reform. Watched from the front row by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, she began to elaborate on Labour’s manifesto commitments on planning by announcing an immediate review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), a task force to unblock stalled developments, and making clear that Ministers will take an interventionist approach to get Britain building.

Every council in England will be told they must reduce bureaucracy and be more flexible on planning proposals that boost housebuilding in urban areas, in line with the UK Government’s long-term plan for housing.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Rt. Hon Michael Gove, MP, has announced the publication of a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) today, 19 December 2023. Reaffirming the UK Government’s commitment to building homes across England, he promised to take action against councils that miss deadlines to submit their housing plans.

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up outlined plans to unleash building on underused sites in high-demand regions, along with a new design code to improve the quality of new homes, with the UK Government committing to passing the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and updates to the National Planning Policy Framework later in 2023.

In 2021, it was estimated that there were over 1.1 million homes in England that had obtained planning permission but were waiting to be built. Propertymark believes that the planning system needs to be simplified to speed up housebuilding and boost supply.

Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick announced today, 6 August, the Government is ‘Planning for the Future’ and aims to overhaul outdated systems and reform the way the country builds.

In Parliament today, 21 July, Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced new rules that homeowners will be able to add up to two additional storeys to properties to create new homes or more living space through a fast track approval process.

Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has unveiled plans for a new green standard for new build homes, and a consultation on changes to the planning system.