17 July 2024
Summary: Reaction comes as the government sets out a number of steps aimed at tackling the housing crisis in the King's Speech.
MTVH’s Chief Executive, Geeta Nanda OBE, has given her reaction to announcements in the first King’s Speech of the new Labour government. The Speech contained a number of promising announcements for the housing sector with a pledge from the government to “get Britain building” to help to grow the economy and to tackle the housing crisis.
Amongst the measures aimed at boosting affordable housebuilding were reforms to the planning system and greater devolution of powers to elected mayors and local authorities to identify land for housebuilding.
In response to the King’s Speech, Geeta said:
“Today’s King Speech’s further demonstrates how this government grasps the importance of housing to the UK’s future growth and prosperity.
Planning reform is a key component of a long-term plan for housing, and we are pleased by the government’s clear commitment to this. Today’s Speech also contains a basis for which to ensure this reform can be effective through greater devolution of planning powers to elected Mayors and local authorities, who are well placed to identify suitable land for housing.
The scale of the government’s ambition is extensive and housing associations will be key partners in achieving these. MTVH built 892 new homes last financial year whilst investing £149m to maintain and improve our existing homes. With the right resources and rebuilding of capacity, Housing Associations like us can play an even greater key role in helping to tackle the housing crisis.
We welcome the early engagement we have had with the government and look forward to continuing to collaborate towards meeting one of the greatest challenges of our time.”