Housing secretary points to recent reshuffle as reason for stalled release of key housing strategy
The government has sought to justify the delay in the publication of its long-term housing plan, attributing the setback to changes within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Steve Reed, who took over as housing secretary in September following Angela Rayner’s resignation, addressed the issue after he was asked by members of a parliamentary committee.
“Because we have had a change of ministers, we do need to make sure that is something that we are going to be fully comfortable with when it comes out,” Reed said, citing recent changes within his department. Jim McMahon and Alex Norris have left their posts in MHCLG, with Alison McGovern now overseeing local government and homelessness, and Miatta Fahnbullah responsible for devolution.
According to a report by Local Government Chronicle, the Commons’ housing, communities and local government committee, which had expected the housing plan to be published by year-end, pressed Reed on the reasons for the delay. Woking MP Will Forster questioned why the reshuffle had resulted in further postponement.
Reed maintained that the delay would be “minimal” and, when asked if publication would occur before the end of January 2026, replied: “I’m wary of giving you a hard date now but my intention would be to be before that.”
The session also touched on speculation about a potential new planning bill, with Reed refusing to confirm or deny whether further legislation is being considered. He stated he is “not ruling it in or out.” Over the summer, there were suggestions that the government might need to introduce another bill to achieve its planning objectives.
When Reed assumed the role of housing secretary, he made clear his plan to accelerate the pace of homebuilding across England, declaring that “build, baby, build” would serve as his guiding principle in office and signalling a commitment to addressing the country’s housing shortfall. He further acknowledged the weight of responsibility attached to the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes by the end of the next Parliament, stating that his own job should be “on the line” if this target is not met.
Reed’s statements come at a time of heightened scrutiny from within the sector. Industry observers have increasingly questioned whether the government’s homebuilding ambitions are achievable, citing persistent challenges such as planning bottlenecks, labour shortages, and the rising costs of materials. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the government’s long-term housing plan has only added to concerns about the likelihood of meeting the said targets.
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