On September 12, 2025, England’s new Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, made a bold declaration: the government remains "absolutely committed" to building 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029. Speaking with unwavering confidence, Reed told the BBC, "It's what we're going to do." This ambitious pledge, a cornerstone of Labour’s general election manifesto, has quickly become one of the most closely watched promises of the current Parliament.
Reed, who took over the housing portfolio after Angela Rayner’s resignation last week over tax affairs, wasted no time in outlining his approach. He described the country’s housing situation as a "crisis" and insisted the only solution is to "build baby build." According to BBC reporting, Reed threatened sanctions against developers who drag their feet, though he stopped short of specifying exactly what those sanctions would entail.
"We'll do it by working in partnership with the developers and with the builders," Reed explained in his interview with the BBC. "My job is to get every barrier out of the way that is stopping that construction going ahead." He emphasized that his focus is on removing obstacles in the planning system, which has long been cited as a major bottleneck for new housing developments.
Reed’s sense of urgency was palpable during his visit to a housing development near Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire. There, he spoke about an "acceleration package" he’s developing to speed up planning approvals and get "spades in the ground" faster. "I don't want the developers dragging their feet. They don't want to drag their feet – it's their business. They make money from going ahead with construction. I'm going to work in partnership with the developers but there will be sanctions if the building doesn't go ahead at pace and at scale," he said, as quoted by the BBC and PA Media.
But if Reed’s words were meant to galvanize the sector, industry leaders have responded with a hefty dose of realism. The Home Builders Federation, as reported by BBC, warned that the government faces a "huge challenge" to reach its target. Housebuilders are feeling the squeeze from rising regulatory costs, increased taxes, and—perhaps most frustratingly—delays in processing planning applications. These mounting pressures, they say, threaten to derail the government’s ambitions unless addressed head-on.
Garry Dixon, who runs a construction company focused on smaller residential projects in Bedfordshire, offered a ground-level perspective on the challenges. "I would say three years ago you were getting bricks at 75p, 80p a brick and now they're like £1.20 a brick," he told the BBC. "It's just huge, and that's just one sector of the build." Dixon argued that the government should invest more in training and apprenticeships to address the sector’s skills shortage, but he cautioned that this wouldn’t be a "quick fix."
The numbers paint a complicated picture. According to BBC Verify’s Housing Tracker, the number of new homes in England actually fell during Labour’s first year in power, continuing a trend that began under the Conservatives. However, there is a glimmer of hope: applications to build more homes have risen over the past six months, perhaps a sign that Reed’s efforts to clear the path for builders are starting to bear fruit.
Legislation aimed at reforming the planning system is currently working its way through Parliament. Reed’s so-called "acceleration package" is expected to dovetail with these broader reforms, creating a more streamlined process for planning approvals. The goal? To get construction underway faster and at a scale not seen in decades.
Not everyone is convinced, though. The Conservatives have been quick to pounce on the government’s housing pledge, dismissing it as unrealistic. Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly didn’t mince words, telling the BBC, "Everyone knows Labour can't deliver on their housing promises. New housing relies on backing builders. But from day one this government has been anti-business and anti-growth." It’s a stinging rebuke that underscores the political stakes of the housing debate—a debate that’s sure to intensify as the government’s deadline draws closer.
Reed’s tenure as Housing Secretary comes at a time of significant transition. He was moved from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after Rayner resigned over failing to pay enough tax on a flat purchase. In a candid interview with BBC Radio 4’s "Political Thinking with Nick Robinson," Reed described Rayner’s resignation as "very painful" and reflected on their close friendship. "Angela’s a friend who was going through a very, very difficult time. And you know on the one level, I wanted to reach out to her and support her as a friend and I did that," he said. "But on another level, there are these events that I’m watching on the TV news at the same time. And it’s quite odd when you suddenly find yourself and the things that are happening to the people around you in the news too."
Questions about housing go beyond bricks and mortar. Reed was also challenged on the government’s pledge to stop housing asylum seekers in hotels by the end of the Parliament. Critics worry that this could increase pressure on an already strained housing market, particularly if asylum seekers are moved into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Reed sought to reassure the public, telling the BBC, "We're looking at a number of options. We intend to do this in a way that does not put further pressure on the housing market. People are already struggling to find a place to live, to rent or to buy. We don't want to add to that burden so we will find a solution to that." The government has floated ideas ranging from expanding the use of military sites to considering prefabricated buildings or warehouses for housing asylum seekers.
As the debate rages, one thing is clear: the road to 1.5 million new homes will not be easy. The government faces skepticism from the opposition, logistical and financial hurdles from the industry, and the ever-present scrutiny of the public. Yet, with Reed at the helm and a raft of new measures in the pipeline, the next few years promise to be pivotal for England’s housing landscape. Whether the government can turn ambitious words into real homes remains to be seen, but the stakes—both political and personal—have rarely been higher.
For now, all eyes are on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, where Steve Reed’s pledge is being put to the test, brick by brick.
