Rachel Reeves Brings Back Compulsory Housebuilding Targets To Boost UK Growth

Rachel Reeves has said the Labour government will bring back housebuilding targets as part of its plan to change Britain's planning rules and grow the size of the economy.

In her first speech as Chancellor on Monday, Reeves said the Government was prepared to make "tough" choices on growth to increase living standards across the UK. She claimed Labour was willing to take the brunt of short-term "political pain" on issues such as housebuilding to "fix Britain's foundations". 

The Chancellor said a set of new planning rules would help businesses build key infrastructure. It would also aid Labour's ambition to reach its target of constructing 1.5 million homes in its first term in office. 

“Last week, the British people voted for change,” she said. “And over the past 72 hours, I have begun the work necessary to deliver on that mandate," Reeves added. 

She went on: “Our manifesto was clear: sustained economic growth is the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people.

“Where previous governments have been unwilling to take the difficult decisions to deliver growth – or have waited too long to act – I will not hesitate.

"It is now a national mission. There is no time to waste."

The previous Conservative government promised to liberalise Britain's planning rules after it promised to do so in its 2019 manifesto. It also pledged to build 300,000 homes every year. But former housing secretary Michael Gove dropped the proposals to implement targets after a rebellion of more than 50 Tory MPs. 

Reeves said Labour will not "shrink" from tough choices on growing the economy including getting more people on the housing ladder. 

"All governments face difficult decisions. We will not shrink from