Chancellor to unveil plans to boost housebuilding

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is today set to announce major reforms to the planning system in a drive to boost the economy through the delivery of new homes.

As promised before the election, measures are expected to include bringing back housing targets, reform of the green belt and investment in new planning officers.

The speech comes after the confirmation on Friday that Angela Rayner will be the new housing secretary while over the weekend Matthew Pennycook was reappointed as a minister at DLUHC and is expected to have the housing brief.

Housebuilders will be looking to the new government to help them overcome some of the most challenging times the industry has ever seen.

* This year’s Housing Market Intelligence Conference and Annual Report launch will come three months into the new administration and will be an ideal opportunity to assess the new landscape for the industry, as laid out today by the chancellor.

Speakers will include Lord Gavin Barwell who will look at the political outlook and the first months of the new government, while Santander Bank’s chief economist Frances Haque will talk mortgages and the market. HBF chairman Stewart Baseley will take the big …