The UK government has this week unveiled a comprehensive strategy to revolutionise the built environment, with ambitious plans that promise a blend of sustainability, innovation, economic growth and social welfare.

With a pledge to construct 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament, Keir Starmer’s Labour government is setting the stage for a housing renaissance that promises to meet the needs of a growing population. To facilitate this, the government will look to reinstate mandatory housing targets, ensuring that new homes are built efficiently and responsibly, and include affordable and council homes.

In her landmark speech at the start of the week (8 July), chancellor Rachel Reeves articulated a bold vision for economic revitalisation, alongside new measures that reflect the government’s commitment to making the housing market fairer and more accessible.

The new chancellor outlined plans for the creation of a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites, and funding for additional planning officers, which will be sourced from an increased rate of the stamp duty surcharge, paid by non-UK residents.

In a bold move to optimise land use, the government also plans to prioritise the release of ‘grey belt’ land. These areas, often overlooked due to their perceived lower quality, hold significant potential for development without encroaching on the cherished green belt.

This strategy will be complemented by the creation of new towns and reforms to compulsory purchase compensation rules, particularly concerning hope value, which will encourage more efficient land use and development.

RELATED: Explore our upcoming programme, Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities.

The government’s vision extends beyond housing, with plans to establish an Industrial Strategy Council and a £7.3 billion National Wealth Fund. These initiatives will support Labour’s growth and clean energy missions, driving innovation and sustainability across various sectors.

The government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy

A cornerstone of the government’s plan is the development of a 10-year infrastructure strategy, which includes a commitment to improving rail connectivity across the north of England. This long-term approach will provide the private sector with the certainty it needs to invest in and support vital infrastructure projects.

To oversee the ambitious infrastructure agenda, the government will create a National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. This new body will bring together existing organisations to set strategic priorities and ensure the efficient design, scope, and delivery of projects.

The government is also committed to addressing the climate crisis, with an additional £6.6 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan. This initiative aims to upgrade five million homes, making them more energy-efficient and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.

WATCH: “The work towards a decade of national renewal has begun.”  

“There is no time to waste. We have promised a new approach to growth – one fit for a changed world. That approach will rest on three pillars – stability, investment, and reform.” – Rachel Reeves

The chancellor said the government has already begun work on its housing pledges by giving the green light on thousands of new home builds across Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield.

“We will create a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing sites in our country…beginning with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, representing more than 14,000 homes,” she said.

EXPLORE OUR 2024 PROGRAMME

Our cities are a key contributor to climate change, but they are also an integral part of the solution. Populations within cities are growing at an alarming rate, with urban growth driving environmental change, but inequalities remain. Infrastructure needs to be climate ready, looking at the adaptation of buildings already in existence and resilience in the built environment. This oncoming age of climate breakdown alongside rapid urbanisation, means urban transformation is essential if cities are to address these challenges ahead and meet global climate and development goals. ​

ITN Business will produce a news-style programme Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities to be launched at the Net Zero Festival, the 22-23 October, 2024. ​

Presented by Broadcaster and Anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota, in ITN’s London studio, the programme will focus on the organisations leading the way when it comes to:

  1. Creating more resilient, affordable and accessible cities
  2. The innovative solutions to cut carbon emissions
  3. Initiatives to promote good mental, physical and social health

We will share powerful case study led stories and highlight the impact on the ground these innovations and solutions have on individuals and communities. Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities will also feature insightful interviews from industry thought leaders Business Green, Smart Cities Council, UK100, UK Green Building Council and the World Green Building Council.

The programme will be hosted on the ITN Business content hub and will be promoted across digital channels alongside a campaign with The Economist. ​

There are commercial opportunities for leading organisations to be featured in the programme and spearhead their own news item. If your organisation wants to share what you stand for and be part of this important conversation about the future of our cities, please contact our ITN Business Programming Directors, Jeff Blackmore or Tamsin Luck.