Housebuilders Urge Angela Rayner to Cut Planning Red Tape After Return as Housing Secretary
Housebuilders have called on Angela Rayner to 'hit the ground running' and dismantle planning red tape after her surprise return as UK housing secretary. Rayner resigned in September 2025 over a tax investigation but was cleared in March 2026. Industry figures welcome her return but warn of severe challenges: only 204,000 homes were completed in the year to March, far below the 300,000 annual target needed for Labour's 1.5 million homes pledge. The Iran war has driven up building costs, and mortgage rate hikes have dampened demand. Eight profit warnings were issued by listed housebuilders in H1 2026. Vistry CEO Adam Daniels highlighted partnership models for council housing, while Bellway's finance chief called for a new equity loan scheme. Barratt Redrow and Rightmove jointly urged stamp duty abolition for first-time buyers. Industry sources fear a major housebuilder collapse may be needed to spur Treasury action.
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