In a bold move to address the long-standing housing crisis, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has unveiled an ambitious plan for a council housebuilding programme on a scale not seen since post-war Britain. As he outlined his vision for 'No 10 North', a significant operation based in Manchester aimed at decentralising decision-making from Westminster, Burnham made it clear that delivering new council homes will be a cornerstone of his agenda if he becomes Prime Minister.
The mayor's proposals focus on making the most of vacant public land to reduce development costs and prioritise higher-density housing in urban areas. However, critics argue that these plans lack concrete detail on funding, delivery, and how they differ from existing government targets. Britain has seen a loss of nearly 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s, mirroring the current number of individuals on housing waiting lists.
The proposed 'No 10 North' would oversee this large-scale building initiative in collaboration with local authorities, focusing not only on regeneration and reindustrialisation but also reforming essential public utilities. While Sarah Elliott, Chief Executive of Shelter, praised Burnham's plans as a potential game-changer for Britain, others, like Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, have expressed reservations about the lack of clarity on delivery rates and funding.
Dr Crosthwaite noted that the current government already has an ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes this Parliament, with England currently lagging behind schedule. He warned that simply outlining what Burnham wants to build does not address the significant challenges in achieving a faster rate of delivery compared to industry performance.
The debate surrounding Burnham's proposals highlights the complexities involved in addressing the UK's long-standing housing crisis. While his plans aim to rebalance economic growth and empower local authorities, critics argue that more detail is needed on how these goals can be achieved practically.