Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.

Housing Minister Defends Labour’s Housing Policy at Commons Committee

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has defended the Government’s housing policy record during questioning by MPs. Pennycook rejected claims that Labour lacked a comprehensive plan when entering office in 2024, and highlighted several policy initiatives as evidence of progress.

Pennycook appeared before the House of Commons Housing Select Committee following recent comments by Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff, who admitted Labour had not made sufficient preparations for power ahead of the General Election.

The minister told the committee that Labour had developed a “well thought-through, very detailed and comprehensive plan” in opposition, and said the Government had “ruthlessly executed that over the past two years.”

Pennycook cited the Renters’ Rights Act, efforts to reform the leasehold system, planning system reforms, and an increase in new-build housing starts as key achievements. He stated that new-build starts have increased by 15% in the past year, attributing this to government policy despite “incredible pressure on the housebuilding industry” from conflict in the Middle East.

However, Pennycook declined to confirm whether the Government remains on track to meet its target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. He stated that the Government should be judged on the number of completions, but did not provide specific projections.

The lack of clarity on delivery targets comes as the property industry seeks concrete indicators of housing supply growth. Industry professionals have called for greater transparency on progress towards the Government’s housebuilding commitments, which remain central to addressing the UK’s housing shortage.

The minister’s comments suggest the Government will continue to prioritise housing delivery metrics, though questions remain about whether current construction rates will be sufficient to meet stated objectives within the parliamentary term.