Title

KING'S SPEECH

King's Speech: Labour Government will 'get Britain building'

The Labour Government will deliver its aim of building 1.5 million houses by ‘modernising planning committees’.

Building (c) Joseph C/Shutterstock

Building (c) Joseph C/Shutterstock

The Labour Government will deliver its aim of building 1.5 million houses by ‘modernising planning committees'.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer used his first King's Speech to confirm the Government's ambition to ‘get Britain building, including through planning reform' as ministers seek to ‘accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing'.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to accelerate housebuilding by improving local planning decision making and by increasing local planning authorities' capacity.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week pledged to reintroduce compulsory housing targets despite criticisms of the policy from local government.

Labour has previously promised to pay for 300 new planners for local authorities.

The Bill also seeks to streamline the delivery process for critical infrastructure by simplifying the ‘consenting process for major infrastructure projects'.

Chief executive of think-tank Localis, Jonathan Werran, said: ‘Legislative plans outlined in today's King's Speech to reintroduce strategic planning could be a gamechanger for housing supply.

‘Any reforms to planning will need to be supported by better resources for local authorities to deliver on the ground the manifesto ambition for 1.5 million new homes over the lifetime of the Parliament.'

 

KING'S SPEECH

Reorganisation, Reform and devolution

By Ann McGauran | 02 October 2025

Change is rippling through local government, from structural reform and new combined authorities, to health integration and the push for financial sustainabi...

KING'S SPEECH

Stability, partnership and delivery

By Sir James Cleverly | 02 October 2025

As delegates prepare to head to the Conservative party conference, Sir James Cleverly highlights the pressures councils face on asylum, funding, housing and ...

KING'S SPEECH

Dear secretary of state – part 2

By Steve Leach | 01 October 2025

As the new secretary of state Steve Reed settles into his new role, Steve Leach and Colin Copus tell him that now is not a good time for a ‘disruptive, expen...

KING'S SPEECH

Dear secretary of state - part 1

By Dr Simon Kaye | 30 September 2025

Secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Steve Reed, has a lot on his plate since assuming the role last month. Here, Re:State’s Sim...

Popular articles by William Eichler