Why the UK Might Miss Its Big Housing Goal

Angela Rayner says there is only a "slim chance" the government will build 1.5 million homes before the next election.

She spoke on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme on 13 September 2026. She called the pledge a "stretch target" that was not being dropped. She said she is "definitely not giving up" on it, according to The Guardian.

Rayner spoke as communities secretary. She returned to that job after Andy Burnham became prime minister.

The broader context here is that she warned the goal may be missed without dropping the promise.

In the same interview, Rayner said home starts were up by 15% last year. She pointed to a £10bn programme for social and affordable homes. That money should build 70,000 homes outside London. About 60% will be for social rent, which means low-cost rented homes for people in most need. London will get another £6bn for affordable homes, to be shared out later.

The 1.5 million target comes from the Starmer government. It set a five-year goal to build 1.5 million homes and looked at new towns to help fix the housing crisis. In July 2024, councils were told to review green belt land if needed to meet housing targets, according to Gov.uk. Green belt is protected land around cities where building is usually blocked. In December 2024, the government announced a planning overhaul to speed up building and deliver 1.5 million homes over this Parliament, according to Gov.uk.

That work carried on this year. In August, planning rules in England were to be loosened to allow more homes near train stations. Rayner was to launch guidance for a 'default yes' near transport hubs, including on green belt sites, according to The Guardian. It is like starting with yes instead of no for those sites.

Rayner's own job has changed in the past year. She offered her resignation as Deputy Prime Minister in September 2025. Prime Minister Keir Starmer then reshaped his top team after her exit, according to BBC.

In my view, her return under Burnham keeps a link between the first promise and the person in charge now. The wording does two things at once. It lowers hopes for the headline number while keeping the wider plan: local targets, green belt reviews, more homes near stations, and money for social rent. What counts now is starts, permissions and finished homes, and whether the money turns into contracts and sites. Watch the London share, the pace of new towns, and whether the station guidance holds up against local plans and appeals.