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

Housing Secretary Steve Reed Resigns in Burnham Cabinet Reshuffle

Steve Reed has resigned as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. His departure comes as part of a cabinet reshuffle led by Andy Burnham.

Reed was appointed to the role in 2025, following the resignation of his predecessor, Rayner, after the stamp duty scandal. During his time in office, Reed focused on planning reforms aimed at accelerating housebuilding, particularly in London. In December 2025, the government launched a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to speed up housing delivery.

Despite these efforts, Savills Research forecasted in June that housing delivery would remain well below government targets, with 167,500 homes per year expected until 2029/30, compared to the target of 300,000 new homes annually.

Reed also introduced draft legislation for the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, which aimed to end the leasehold system in England and Wales. However, the final bill has not yet been introduced to Parliament.

Another initiative during Reed's tenure was the proposal for a state-owned housebuilder to support both commercial and affordable housing development. This was intended to maintain housebuilding activity during market slowdowns, though the sector continues to face challenges such as material shortages, structural issues, and financial pressures.

Nick Leeming, chairperson of Jackson-Stops, commented on the broader housing market, noting the importance of both building new homes and enabling existing homes to circulate more freely. He highlighted the opportunity for the new government to restore market confidence by combining housebuilding commitments with stable economic management and a review of upfront costs for buyers and sellers.

Letting agents and inventory clerks should note the ongoing focus on planning reforms, leasehold changes, and the potential for a state-backed housebuilder, all of which could impact the UK property sector in the coming months.