PM Starmer Reaffirms “Plan for Change,” Pledges 1.5 Million New Homes
LONDON — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his government’s “Plan for Change” commitment, putting a major push on housing at the centre of plans for national reform — including a promise to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this parliamentary term to help tackle the UK’s housing crisis. Sky News+1
Speaking as part of his New Year message and ongoing government strategy, Starmer said that building more homes is essential to restore the dream of home ownership for working families and to support broader economic growth. The ambitious target forms one of several headline goals in the Plan for Change, which also includes boosting incomes, cutting waiting lists and reforming public services. Sky News
Ambitious Housing Plans Under Plan for Change
Under the Plan for Change, the government has set out proposals to:
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Build 1.5 million new homes across the country by the end of the current parliamentary term, aiming to increase housing supply and affordability. Sky News
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Overhaul the planning system to remove barriers to building, “putting builders not blockers first,” and mandating councils to set out immediate housing plans or face government intervention. Sky News+1
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Provide councils with extra resources and planning officers to speed up decisions and unlock stalled developments. North Herts Council
The government has also redefined certain categories of land, such as “grey belt” areas, to streamline development while balancing environmental protections and local needs. North Herts Council
Starmer’s Vision: Homeownership and Growth
Starmer has explained that the push for new homes ties into a larger vision of economic renewal, linking housing supply to job creation, infrastructure investment and community stability. He said the plan is designed not just to build houses, but to make home ownership more accessible and support working families who struggle with current housing shortages and affordability. Sky News
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has echoed this message, describing the housing pledge as the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and emphasising the government’s readiness to press ahead with reforms to achieve these targets. Sky News
Industry and Critics React
The housebuilding industry has given a mixed response — broadly welcoming the government’s ambition and the focus on planning reform, but warning that structural challenges remain, including labour shortages in construction and slower planning approvals, which require sustained effort to overcome. housingtoday.co.uk+1
Critics also point out that current housing approval rates are low, underlining the scale of the task ahead, and some commentators question whether the 1.5 million target can realistically be met without further systemic change. Reddit
What Comes Next
As 2026 unfolds, Starmer and his ministers are expected to accelerate planning reforms, increase support for councils and developers, and monitor progress closely toward the housing milestone. The pledge to build 1.5 million homes remains one of the government’s central benchmarks for its broader Plan for Change — a sign of its commitment to tackling long‑standing issues around supply, affordability and opportunity in the UK housing market. Sky News