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Burnham Unveils Major Council Housebuilding Plan in Manchester Speech

Andy Burnham has outlined plans for a large-scale council housebuilding programme in his first major speech in Manchester. The proposal aims to address what he described as Britain’s housing crisis, with a focus on reducing reliance on the private rental sector.

Burnham characterised the initiative as the largest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period. He stated that Britain has lost approximately 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s, with a similar number of people currently on housing waiting lists. The plan includes utilising vacant public land to reduce construction costs and delivering the programme through devolved regions and local leaders, rather than central government departments. However, details on funding mechanisms have not yet been disclosed.

The proposal also features higher density residential development in town centres, intended to increase high street footfall and protect green spaces from development. Burnham argued that attempts to control housing costs through Local Housing Allowance freezes have resulted in homelessness and increased pressures on councils for temporary accommodation.

Industry figures responded to the announcement by highlighting the need for continued investment across social housing, private ownership, and the private rented sector. Questions were raised about funding sources and whether new council homes would be protected from Right to Buy schemes. Concerns were also expressed about the viability crisis affecting building activity and the need for adequate resourcing for local and regional authorities. Support was noted for the devolution approach and the inclusion of homes for key workers and young professionals, with a role for SMEs in local housing delivery.

Financial experts noted that while the speech demonstrated ambition, markets would closely watch how the plans could be funded within existing fiscal constraints. The proposals are part of a broader agenda including decentralisation, business rates relief, and regional economic development, though further details and costings remain to be clarified.