Key facts
- Andy Burnham has made solving the UK's housing crisis a priority.
- Burnham pledged to deliver the "biggest council house building programme since the post-war period".
- Critics question the cost and feasibility of large-scale state-led housing programs.
- Kwasi Kwarteng advocates for looser planning regulation and private capital for housing development.
- Burnham previously aimed to build 10,000 homes in Greater Manchester and use devolved funding.
- Burnham has discussed changes to the Right to Buy policy and Housing Revenue Accounts.
Andy Burnham, the new Labour MP for Makerfield and a prominent figure expected to lead the party, has identified solving the UK's housing crisis as a central priority. In a recent speech, he committed to initiating the "biggest council house building programme since the post-war period."
However, the effectiveness and financial viability of such large-scale state-led housing initiatives are being questioned by critics. Kwasi Kwarteng, former Conservative Party chancellor, argues that a market-based approach, involving looser planning regulations and private capital, would be more efficient and less burdensome on the Exchequer. Kwarteng highlighted the significant costs associated with building new homes, including the need for additional construction workers and infrastructure, suggesting that the country might not be able to afford such ambitious plans.
Sarah Harrison, chief executive officer at the Building Societies Association, stressed the importance of placing people and communities at the forefront of housing decisions, drawing parallels to the co-operative movement's historical role in addressing insecurity. She noted that housing is fundamental to opportunity, security, and economic growth.
Burnham's previous initiatives as mayor of Greater Manchester included a pledge to build 10,000 homes using devolved funding and to purchase empty properties to house homeless families. He also discussed potential changes to the Right to Buy policy and the establishment of a Housing Revenue Account to fund housing development. Despite these efforts, some critics label Burnham as prioritizing style over substance, a view contested by his track record in fostering economic growth in Manchester.