Key Points from Labour’s Housing Manifesto:

1. Abolition of Section 21 Evictions:
   • Immediate Action: Labour pledges to eliminate Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, providing more security for private renters.
   • Regulation Overhaul: Enhancements in the regulation of the private rented sector to prevent exploitation and discrimination.
   • Empowering Renters: Measures to enable tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases and improve overall housing standards.
   • Extension of Awaab’s Law: Applying protections to private renters to ensure better living conditions.
2. Housing Development and Homeownership:
   • Building 1.5 Million New Homes: Labour aims to construct 1.5 million homes over the next parliamentary term.
   • Planning Framework Revisions: Updating the National Policy Planning Framework to reinstate mandatory housing targets and ensuring local planning authorities have current Local Plans.
   • Brownfield Development Priority: Emphasis on developing previously used land, with expedited approval processes for urban brownfield sites.
   • Greenbelt Strategy: Strategic release of lower quality greenbelt (‘grey belt’) land while maintaining the overall greenbelt policy for environmental and community benefits.
3. Support for Local Authorities:
   • Funding for Planning Officers: Financial support for additional planning staff through an increased stamp duty surcharge on non-UK residents.
   • Community-Led Housebuilding: Ensuring local communities influence development, with Labour willing to use intervention powers when necessary.
4. New Towns and Large-Scale Communities:
   • New Generation of New Towns: Inspired by the post-war Labour government, these towns will be part of extensive new housing communities across England.
   • Strategic Planning for Growth: Combined and Mayoral Authorities will be required to plan for housing growth, with enhanced planning powers and funding flexibility.
5. Compulsory Purchase and Affordable Housing:
   • Reformed Compensation Rules: Improved land assembly processes and fair compensation for specific development types.
   • Increased Affordable Housebuilding: Strengthened planning obligations, changes to the Affordable Homes Programme, and enhanced capacity for councils and housing associations.
   • Social Housing Focus: Prioritizing new social rented homes and protecting existing stock by reviewing right-to-buy discounts and increasing protections for new social housing.
6. Sustainable and High-Quality Development:
   • Environmental and Design Standards: Commitment to high-quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes that enhance climate resilience and promote nature recovery.
   • First-Time Buyer Initiatives: Measures to give first-time buyers priority and prevent entire developments from being sold to international investors.
   • Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: A permanent scheme to support first-time buyers with lower mortgage costs and reduced deposit requirements.

Labour’s manifesto reflects a strategic and detailed approach to tackling the housing crisis, focusing on renter protections, significant new home construction, and environmental sustainability. The proposed reforms aim to create a more secure, fair, and thriving housing sector in the UK.