Calls For Bold Action, Continuity In Planning Reform, And Support For Sustainable Development

Following the appointment of Steve Reed MP as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Irwin Mitchell’s Real Estate team has shared its views on the priorities the new minister should focus on to address the UK’s housing challenges.

Michelle Beaumont, Partner and Head of Irwin Mitchell’s Living Sector, said:

“We’re hopeful that the new Secretary of State will prioritise unlocking the planning system to get Britain building again, support developers in delivering much-needed schemes, and ensure we’re not just building homes—but creating sustainable, well-designed places where communities can thrive. We also want to see real help for first-time buyers, and urgent action to upgrade social housing stock that’s simply no longer fit for purpose.”

Recognising the progress made in recent months, Claire Petricca-Riding, Head of Planning and Environment at Irwin Mitchell, stressed the importance of maintaining momentum:

“It is extremely disappointing this situation has occurred, given the impetus to get Britain building again and deliver on the manifesto pledge of constructing 1.5 million new homes. We shouldn’t lose the impetus from what has been achieved so far. Progress has been made when it comes to planning, and the new Secretary of State is strongly advised to continue to steer the ship in broadly the same direction.”

Robert Tunningley, Construction Partner at Irwin Mitchell, emphasised the need for bold, strategic interventions to restore confidence and accelerate delivery in the housing sector:

“This is an opportunity to introduce bold, new ideas that reinvigorate residential construction and development. By offering targeted tax breaks to institutional landlords and housing providers, the government can break the cycle and unlock growth in a sector that is the cornerstone of the UK economy. Incentives are not just helpful—they're essential to restore confidence, drive investment, and deliver the homes Britain urgently needs.

“It is also a chance for the incoming Secretary of State to prioritise the reform of the Building Safety Regulator. While recent reforms to the BSR are a step in the right direction, they must now be followed through with urgency, transparency, and leadership, otherwise the industry is going to continue to feel the impact of regulatory delays, frustrating developers and slowing the delivery of much-needed homes.”