Rayner admits ‘slim chance’ of hitting 1.5m homes target

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has conceded that there is only a “slim chance” the government will achieve its manifesto pledge to construct 1.5 million new homes in England by the next general election. Speaking to the BBC, she attributed the difficulty to significant “headwinds,” including the ongoing war in Iran and escalating construction costs.

Despite acknowledging the obstacles, Rayner emphasized that the administration remains committed to the target, describing it as a “stretch goal” that must be maintained while being transparent with the public about the challenges involved. She highlighted recent progress, noting a 15% increase in home starts last year, and pointed to billions in investment for social and affordable housing as evidence that the government is making a tangible difference.

The Labour Party committed to delivering the housing volume by the end of the current parliament, no later than summer 2029. This requires an annual construction rate of 300,000 properties—a pace not seen in decades. However, data analyzed by BBC Verify indicates the UK is currently off track. For the 12 months leading to June 2026, approximately 203,000 new homes were delivered in England, falling well short of the required 300,000.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised the largest council house-building program since the post-war era, although specific details regarding the initiative have yet to be outlined. Rayner confirmed that the prime minister has made it clear that building council homes is a fundamental priority.

Previous housing secretary Steve Reed had admitted last year that a sharp surge in construction would be necessary to meet the goal, expressing hope that planning reforms would eventually help. Analysts suggest that changes to green belt development rules introduced by the Starmer government could boost construction in the long term. Nevertheless, critics argue that the sector is hindered by high house prices relative to incomes, labor shortages exacerbated by Brexit, and cost inflation linked to global conflicts.