New UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced a series of measures aimed at boosting economic growth and tackling the housing shortage in the country.  

In her inaugural address, the Labour Party's Reeves disclosed plans to reinstate compulsory local housing targets and establish a taskforce to expedite the development of dormant housing projects. 

The development will begin with key sites such as Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe, and Langley Sutton Coldfield.

These sites are projected to yield more than 14,000 new homes.  

Reeves also said the new government will reform the National Planning Policy Framework, launching a consultation before the end of the month.  

Plans also include the recruitment of 300 additional planning officers to support local authorities with this workload. 

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also responsible for national housing policy, is set to communicate with local planning authorities in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, clarifying new expectations.  

These include the implementation of local plans across all areas and the reassessment of greenbelt perimeters.  

Emphasis will be placed on prioritising brownfield and grey belt land for development to fulfil housing requirements.  

The government's 'golden rules' are designed to ensure that these development efforts contribute to the provision of affordable housing, including an increase in homes available for social rent.

Reeves added: “We said we would grasp the nettle of planning reform, and we are doing so. Today I can tell you that that work is underway.  

“Over the weekend, I met with the prime minister [Kier Starmer] and the deputy prime minister to agree [on] the urgent action needed to fix our planning system.  

“Today, alongside the deputy prime minister, I am taking immediate action to deliver this Labour government’s mission to kick-start economic growth and to take the urgent steps necessary to build the infrastructure that we need, including one-and-a-half million homes in the next five years.”