United Way Greater Toronto’s Post

New Labour Government Begins Its Mandate with Planning Reforms. Today marks a significant moment as the King’s speech officially heralds the start of the new Labour government’s mandate. At the top of the agenda are planning reforms aimed at addressing the UK's housing crisis and promoting sustainable growth. Here are three key proposals : 1. Planning Passports- Urban brownfield sites will see a streamlined approval process, fast-tracking developments to rejuvenate our cities with much-needed housing and infrastructure. 2. Grey Belt- Poor quality green belt land will be reassigned for development, balancing the need for growth with environmental considerations to unlock new housing opportunities while preserving our valuable green spaces. 3. Local Growth Plans- Devolution of planning policy to mayors and combined authorities will empower local leaders to tailor growth strategies to their unique needs, fostering innovation and community-driven solutions. #UKHousing #PlanningReforms #UrbanDevelopment #LocalGrowth #LabourGovernment

Join a FREE Inside Housing webinar on 'Housing’s offer to and asks of the new Labour government,' taking place 12pm-1pm tomorrow (Wednesday 24 July). Hear sector leaders discuss what Labour's plans for its first 100 days will mean for the sector. They will also examine how the sector should approach its relationship with the new government. Register. → https://lnkd.in/e-yV6_UG ← #HousingPolicy

It was interesting to listen to the speech delivered by Angela Rayner, Labour's Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, where she announced an overhaul of the planning system to 'fix the foundations and grow the economy'. All councils in England are to be given new, mandatory housing targets to pave the way to deliver 1.5 million more homes – tackling what the Deputy Prime Minister claimed was the UK's 'most acute housing crisis in living memory'.  In addition to the proposed reforms to the planning system, the new Labour government is keen to deliver what they describe as 'quality affordable and social housing'. Details of future government investment in social and affordable housing is to be given at the next spending review, but the Housing Secretary intimated that social housing providers can start planning for the future in order to 'help deliver the biggest increase in affordable housebuilding in a generation'.  We must remember, however, that all these proposed new houses MUST be future-proof and fit-for-purpose. That means they must have good quality insulation, and have the necessary energy efficiency and sustainability. Affordable housing has to be matched with affordable living and energy costs. Across the Westdale Group we stand ready to work alongside councils and housing associations. Our service offering can significantly help lower electricity expenses and enhance energy efficiency, contributing to cost savings and sustainability. #Housing #DeputyPrimeMinister #AngelaRayner #housingassociations #councils #buildingBritain #affordablehousing #energyefficiency #EWI #insulation #sustainability #socialhousing

VIEWPOINT: Our Chief Executive Paul Campbell welcomes the new Labour government and their plans to tackle the housing shortage: “There is perhaps no real surprise that Labour won the General Election last week with a landslide, but it is still nevertheless a big relief. There is a feeling of optimism that we might just have a Labour Government who seems serious about tackling the housing crisis. “The previous Government had an adversarial relationship with the housebuilding industry, in part because of the anti-development caucus of the Conservative party, led by Villiers. She managed to wield a disproportionate amount of influence due to the Government stumbling from one crisis to the next and the need to shore up support from their own MPs. It’s almost as though Michael Gove and his colleagues were quite happy to undermine essential investment because they knew it would be another administration problem and it is now a real challenge for the new Government to arrest the decline. “Over the weekend it was announced that Angela Rayner was appointed Secretary of State for Housing and Matthew Pennycook the Minister for Housing. The fact that such a senior politician has been appointed in the role speaks volumes about the importance being placed on housing, and in Matthew Pennycook we have a Minister who has held the same role in opposition since December 2021. This means he has already spent almost three times longer on the brief than the average duration of the last 16 (not a typo!) Conservative housing ministers. “In a keynote speech this week the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said that she will get Britain building again. She reiterated Labour’s target for building 1.5m new homes over the next five years, teeing up measures including reform of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by the end of the month which will reinstate mandatory targets amongst other policy objectives. 👉Continued on our website: https://lnkd.in/dhnTsSB5 #housing #housebuilding #labourgovernment #construction #richborough

Three days until we see just how divided our country is. At the weekend, the Financial Times has openly shown its hand and backed Labour, the first time since 2005. So when we talk about navigating Labour, it wouldn't be too far fetched to conclude that Starmer will be our new Prime Minister come Thursday. So what can the Built Environment sector expect from a Labour Government? How much of a priority will housing be? Last month, Instinctif Partners hosted its annual Navigating Change in the Built Environment panel. With insights from former Conservative and Labour MPs, David Gauke and Tom Harris, we discussed the pressing issues a new Government will face, especially the undersupply of new homes driven by a planning crisis. If you didn't make it to the event, my colleague Harry Gilham has done an excellent job as unpacking the key takeaways, especially the huge barriers facing policy reform and housing targets. 🏘 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g2ZJpCcG #BuiltEnvironment #PlanningPolicy #HousingCrisis #LabourGovernment

Now that we’ve hurtled over the 100-day mark, what progress have the Labour Government made on planning for the future of housing? In our latest article, experts from across our services give their views: https://lnkd.in/eNWc7tfM In July we released ‘From Scarcity to Stability: Planning for the Future of Housing’, a paper calling on the Government to prioritise solving the housing crisis. In it we set out our recommendations to help boost the supply of housing and provide certainty for an industry that is crucial to our economic growth. Our recommendations included: • An immediate Written Ministerial Statement to set a positive and clear commitment to improve plan-making and speed up decision-taking. • Creating a national strategy for housing for England. • Supporting local authority resourcing. • Enforcing the delivery of Local Plans across England. • Reviewing Green Belt policy. With over 100 days in power, we look at what Labour have already done, how it’s going and what next: https://lnkd.in/eNWc7tfM #housing #planning

👀 Over 1,800 people have registered for this webinar, and I am not surprised. Join us at 12 today (10 MINS to register!) for a discussion on UK Housing and the new Labour Government. See you all there. #UKHousing #LabourGovernment #Bettertogether #InsideHousing

Exciting news from Angela Rayner today, as Labour unveils plans for “towns of the future” to help tackle the UK’s housing crisis. Labour’s proposal includes setting up a New Town Commission within six months of taking power to co-ordinate housing and infrastructure development for new communities. Building 300,000 homes per year has always been a monumental task for any Government, but one that is desperately needed to address the severe housing shortage we face. A key component of Labour’s plan is the provision of 40% affordable housing in these New Towns, ensuring that housing needs are met for all segments of society. However, challenges lie ahead, particularly in the political hurdles of developing on the edge of settlements and releasing Green Belt land. Tough decisions will need to be made, such as reclassifying low-quality Green Belt land for development; releasing Green Belt land in the most sustainable locations; and re-introducing mandatory housing targets for Local Authorities – all are crucial steps in addressing the housing crisis. Last, but not least, collaboration with the private sector will also be essential in funding the development of these new towns. #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #NewTowns #Boyer #Leaders Romans Group https://lnkd.in/e7-7rUmp

The UK's new Labour government has ambitious plans to launch the largest house-building programme in two generations, aiming to construct over 300,000 new homes annually in England. This bold target, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, seeks to address the longstanding housing crisis by reforming the planning system. However, achieving this scale of development requires more than tough rhetoric; it necessitates persuading local communities to support new housing projects. Public opinion generally backs Labour’s building plans, but local opposition often emerges when new housing is proposed in specific areas. Experts suggest that to overcome this resistance, Labour must focus on increasing affordable and build-to-rent housing, typically managed by local authorities and institutional investors. These developments, which emphasise long-term investment and community benefits, can help garner local support. Additionally, engaging communities early in the planning process through social media and surveys can foster buy-in and ensure that new developments meet local needs and expectations. Building a consensus around the social value of infrastructure projects is essential for Labour to successfully implement its housing agenda and meet the UK's growing housing demand. #Housing #Labour #HousingMarket #PropertyNews

🏗️👷♀️👷♂️FREEDOM TO CHOOSE: It’s Time for #Construction to vote in BC! As a construction professional, your skills and hard work help build the very foundation of this province we love ❤️. Yet, under current NDP policies, 85% of BC’s construction workforce (17 of 20 workers) is excluded from working on public projects simply because of labor affiliation. This means that many of you are locked out of opportunities to work on the projects your tax dollars fund. This isn’t just #unfair—it’s unacceptable. I believe like many of you in a simple principle: freedom to choose. Work should go to the most qualified bidder, based on merit and for the best value to the taxpayer, not on union cards. By voting for #JohnRustad and the Conservative Party of British Columbia, you’re standing up for the right to work on an even playing field, free from restrictive policies that keep projects delayed, costs rising, and workers sidelined. IMO the Conservative Party is not perfect but its plan is clear and fair: open the doors for all workers and get BC’s critical infrastructure moving forward—bridges, roads, hospitals—all built by the best, no matter their labor affiliation. Now is the time to reclaim our right to compete fairly, to build, and to lead. Together, let’s ensure our voices are heard and our work is valued. #Vote for freedom. #Vote for progress. #Vote Conservative. #Together