Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has reaffirmed her government's ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes, despite acknowledging the considerable difficulties involved. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Ms Rayner likened the challenge to running a marathon in a demanding timeframe, stating her determination to meet the commitment.
The 1.5 million homes target was initially a cornerstone of the Labour Party's 2024 General Election manifesto, aiming to address persistent housing shortages that have impacted buyer demand across the UK. Achieving this level of construction would necessitate a substantial increase in annual building rates compared to recent historical averages, requiring significant collaboration between central government, local authorities, and the construction sector.
Ms Rayner, who returned to her cabinet role under Prime Minister Andy Burnham after a brief departure, also used the opportunity to address her previous resignation, which followed a stamp duty payment error on a property purchase. She confirmed that HMRC had exonerated her of tax avoidance, describing the situation as a "complex niche area of tax" and noting she had learned a brutal lesson, now seeking expert legal advice on financial matters.
In a separate interview with BBC Breakfast, the Housing Secretary clarified that the government has no plans to introduce rent controls in England. She stated that the recently implemented Renters' Rights Act, which came into effect in May, is already having a "significant impact on the market." This stance comes as the property sector continues to navigate a landscape of regulatory changes affecting both the buy-to-let market and the supply of new housing.
The successful delivery of the 1.5 million homes target hinges on several critical factors, including the effective implementation of planning reforms, the capacity of the construction industry, and the willingness of local authorities to meet their regional housing allocations. Industry observers note that achieving such a target would require sustained political will and a streamlined planning process to overcome potential bottlenecks in land availability and development approvals.
The broader housing market continues to present a mixed picture. According to recent data from Rightmove, the average asking price for a home in the UK stands at approximately £375,000 as of July 2026, representing a modest annual increase of 1.2%. However, regional variations are significant, with properties in the North East seeing price growth of around 3.5%, while parts of London have experienced marginal declines. Mortgage rates remain a key factor for buyers, with the average two-year fixed-rate mortgage currently around 4.8%, making affordability a persistent challenge for many, particularly first-time buyers who also face the hurdle of accumulating substantial deposits. The future of government schemes like Help to Buy, which has assisted many first-time buyers, will also play a crucial role in supporting homeownership aspirations.