Starmer promises ‘change’ but no mention of the PRS

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said his work begins ‘immediately’.

Standing in Downing Street, he said: “Changing a country’s not like flicking a switch – the world is now a more volatile place.

“This will take a while. But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately.

“Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain, with wealth created in every community. The NHS back on its feet facing the future, secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated with dignity and respect at work.

“The opportunity of clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good. And brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.”

He added: “The world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people.

“The security that working-class families like mine can build their lives around.”

Also, Mr Starmer has confirmed that Angela Rayner will be the deputy prime minister and Secretary of State for levelling up, housing and communities.

Return of the Renters (Reform) Bill

One of the first organisations to respond was Generation Rent which point to his promise of ‘affordable homes’ and called for the return of the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Its deputy chief executive, Dan Wilson Craw, said: “It is encouraging that the new Prime Minister recognises how central our homes are to our lives.

“Unfortunately, private renters know this only too well.

“Our homes cannot offer the security we need if we can be evicted at a landlord’s whim. Homes can’t provide hope if landlords can ignore tenants’ requests for repairs.”

He added: “In its manifesto, the Labour party promised to abolish Section 21 evictions immediately.

“Today Mr Starmer promised urgency.

“After an entire Parliament with nothing to show for renters, this must now mean a new Renters (Reform) Bill announced in the King’s Speech, with security of tenure, affordability and higher standards at its heart.”

Crucial that housing policy is front and centre

Propertymark says it’s crucial that housing policy is front and centre for the Labour Party to deal with an ‘unsettled economy’

It adds that the lack of appropriately scaled house building programmes over many decades has created a demand for housing that massively outstrips supply.

Propertymark also says that in the next 10 years, the UK’s population will reach 70 million and the country needs a plan for sustainable housing supply.

The organisation’s chief executive, Nathan Emerson, said: “Propertymark welcomes wide-ranging engagement with the new Labour Government to help steer an objective pathway forward for the housing sector.

“We have seen a chronic undersupply of affordable new housing for many years.”

He added: “Sustainable housing is the foundation for any strong economy and there must be clear and well thought out plans that inspire investment and improve supply moving forwards.

“We want to see long-term cross-party cooperation that delivers the right kind of homes in areas they are desperately needed.”