The government has unveiled further funding as part of its new housebuilding programme, including £2 million to support the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
In a press release published on 13 February 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared further plans for the next generation of new towns. More than 100 sites across England are currently earmarked, with each new town having the potential to deliver 10,000 or more homes.
Sir Keir said: “We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do.
“We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder. We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.
“As part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, our ambitious Plan for Change will transform the lives of working people, once again connecting the basic principle that if you work hard, you should get on.”
As part of this, extra government funding was announced, including £2 million to support the BSR in improving the processing for new-build applications. £3 million will also be given to local councils to help them in their planning capacity, as well as support them in navigating through “some of the more complex issues holding up new development”.
Sir Keir added: “Responding to sector concerns on pinch points, work stepping up with the Building Safety Regulator to ensure greater timeliness and efficiency when new tall buildings are signed off – to provide more homes for more people.”
As previously reported by the FPA, in a Public Accounts Committee meeting held on 3 February, concerns were raised over the feasibility of the government’s 1.5 million new homes target, particularly in light of the Remediation Acceleration Plan that will see all high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding fixed or on course to be remediated by 2029. Executive Director of Public Impact for the National Housing Federation, Rhys Moore shared that development in London had been greatly impacted due to councils trying to address remediation concerns, with much of the funding offered by the government given to private building owners, and only 10% going to social landlords.
You can view the full press release here.