Home Building Target

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe Excerpts

Tuesday 15th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

We committed to delivering a stretch target of 1.5 million homes. We know it is a stretch target, but it is better to aim high in this respect. We have already announced, in August, the first tranche of the £39 billion of funding for social housing. We will move forward with the following tranches as quickly as possible.

[Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe (Lab)]

My Lords, I very much welcome what the Minister said. Housing associations this year built the highest number of social rented homes in the past decade, and National Housing Federation figures suggest that that will further increase. Can she add to what she said and confirm whether her department is making representations to the Treasury to match the ambition of the housing association and council sectors and to increase investment in the social and affordable homes programme in the Autumn Budget?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I am sure that my noble friend would not expect me to comment on the Autumn Budget in advance of the Chancellor’s announcements. It is important that we remember that this £39 billion investment is the highest level of investment in social and affordable homes for generations. As I said, we have already begun implementing that programme, and further funding is available through future allocations. For the first time, three councils have been awarded strategic partnership status outside London, demonstrating how our councils are stepping up to meet these ambitions. We are also removing the barriers to council housebuilding through a 10-year rent settlement, rent convergence, Public Works Loan Board borrowing rates, right-to-buy reform and a further £46 million investment through Capacity to Build to strengthen councils’ skills, expertise and capacity.