Labour government needs ‘fewer cuts and changes’…

Property experts have called for cross-party support and stability on housing policy under a Labour government after a new Cabinet and ministerial team were confirmed.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s senior team includes Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.
Both parties will be involved in setting key policies that could impact agents, such as stamp duty and other tax rates, as well as rent reform and potential agency regulation.

Matthew Pennycook has been confirmed as Housing Minister, a role he held while in opposition.

He attempted to implement the Report on the Regulation of Estate Agents (ROPA) through tenancy legislation, but his amendments were rejected.

Commenting on his appointment, Pennycook said: “Solving the housing crisis and boosting economic growth is integral to our national recovery. It’s time to get to work.”

If we expect Pennycook to be the first Housing Minister this term, then he is. Hopefully, under a Labor government, the role will not change so much.

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, welcomed the appointments, adding: “It is essential that housing is made a key priority going forward as we have seen demand for housing dramatically outstripping supply for many decades.

“We currently have a situation that seems to be on a knife-edge, especially with a population that is projected to grow to around 70 million in the next ten years. There needs to be a critical cross-party conversation that sets a clear strategy for the future, and for that to happen we need broad stakeholder engagement, broad infrastructure development, and everyone involved needs to be committed to better leveraging technology both for insight and ongoing delivery.”

Kate Faulkner OBE, chair of the Home Buying and Selling Group, said: “We need a commitment that those working in housing, from ministers to civil servants, will stay in their jobs for at least five years. Cutting and replacing those in charge is a key reason why the housing crisis has not been solved to the extent it could be.”


“New housing developments would really benefit from reading the Nationwide Foundation’s ‘Homes for All’ document. The recommendations in this document offer a long-term solution to housing problems, which can only be achieved by winning cross-party and industry support.

“To easily win in the first 100 days, the government could support the implementation of the Home Buying and Selling Council’s key recommendations. “We offer a range of easy solutions that will make buying and selling a home easier immediately, while others will revolutionise the process for everyone over the next five years.

“Finally, I would like to see MPs of all parties required to set out a plan for how they will work with local public and private housing and land providers. Key issues include how to provide housing for people in temporary accommodation in their constituencies and how we can provide more social housing to reduce local housing waiting lists by releasing land
and finance. This alone will unlock over a million homes back into the private sector, helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder and easing supply problems for private renters.”