Title

HOUSING

Labour promises councils 'control over own destiny'

A Labour government will build more houses and devolve power to local authorities, according to the party’s deputy leader.

A Labour government will build more houses and devolve power to local authorities, according to the party's deputy leader.

Speaking at the Local Government Association's (LGA) annual conference, Angela Rayner reiterated the party's commitment to devolution and giving people a ‘bigger stake' in the future of their local neighbourhood.

She pledged that a Keir Starmer premiership would ensure decisions are taken by people ‘with skin in the game'.

The deputy opposition leader said the party would deliver ‘genuine devolution' in its first term and would give communities ‘control over their own destiny'.

She said a Labour government would ‘change the relationship between the power we hold and the power you need' and suggested to a questioner that local government would not be the ‘poorer cousin' of central Government.

‘We say the decisions that create wealth in our communities – economic wealth and civic wealth – should be taken by local people with skin in the game,' she said.

‘That's our promise, and we will deliver it with a Bill in the first King's Speech of the next Labour government.'

Angela Rayner also said under the Conservatives there had been ‘managed decline' and a ‘total collapse of housebuilding in this country'.

She said Labour would reform planning laws to allow for building on parts of the green belt and bring back housing national targets while empowering councils to meet them.

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

HOUSING

Streeting announces care worker pay boost

By Dan Peters | 30 September 2025

Health secretary Wes Streeting has announced plans to boost pay for care workers from 2028, backed by an initial £500m of funding.

HOUSING

LGA: Outcomes framework should be expanded

By Neil Merrick | 30 September 2025

A proposed framework for assessing the effectiveness of councils should be expanded to cover all public sector bodies, the Local Government Association (LGA)...

HOUSING

Metro mayors show what real change looks like

By Andrew Carter | 30 September 2025

Andrew Carter says that as national politicians debate abstract promises, metro mayors are delivering visible, local improvements.

HOUSING

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