Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a major shift in housing policy, granting greater authority to county and unitary council leaders with existing devolution agreements. This move is part of Labour’s broader strategy to transfer power from Westminster to local authorities, aiming to spark a new era of devolution that empowers communities.
In her first message to local leaders, Rayner urged regions without devolution agreements to engage with the government, emphasizing the goal of launching the most ambitious devolution program in UK history. The plan will cover key areas such as transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support.
She highlighted the need to involve regions that have historically lacked devolution, stressing that local leaders with on-the-ground knowledge should drive decision-making. By enabling greater local control, the initiative aims to boost economic growth and create opportunities tailored to regional needs.
The government is inviting more areas to embrace devolution, with Rayner underscoring Labour’s commitment to reducing central government control, which she argues has long hindered the growth of towns, cities, and villages.
The Greater Manchester region, a long-standing example of successful devolution, was highlighted as a model. As one of the UK’s fastest-growing areas over the past two decades, it continues to outperform national economic growth rates.
The Northern Housing Consortium, which represents around 140 social landlords in Northern England, welcomed the announcement. CEO Tracy Harrison expressed support for the creation of a new council for regions and nations, as well as the increased focus on housing devolution.
This announcement comes ahead of the King’s Speech on Wednesday, which is expected to introduce sweeping housing reforms, including the immediate abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions and a renewed push to accelerate housebuilding.
With a strong electoral mandate, the Labour government is prioritizing economic growth through a comprehensive legislative agenda. More than 35 bills are set to reshape housing, infrastructure, transport, job creation, and clean energy.
Stay tuned for further updates on these transformative policy changes and their impact on local housing markets.
