Labour’s plan to build 12 new towns across England
The government is set to announce on Sunday a bold programme to construct 12 new towns across England as part of a broader effort to tackle the country’s housing crisis. The housing secretary, Steve Reed, will unveil the initiative at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, where party leader Keir Starmer framed the proposals as a step toward national renewal.
The plan follows the work of a new towns taskforce, launched last September, which has produced a report with recommendations for fresh developments across the country. Labour positions the proposals as a clear alternative to what it calls quick‑fix politics, arguing that durable, well‑planned growth is needed to rebuild the housing ladder.
What the proposal involves
Reed will describe the project as a modern echo of the postwar housing boom overseen by Clement Attlee’s government, which delivered more than a million homes between 1945 and 1951. The plan would mobilise both public and private funding, though the total cost is not yet published. The taskforce believes the scattered towns could collectively deliver up to 300,000 homes over the coming decades.
Officials emphasise that the programme is not merely about housing numbers. Each town is expected to include GP surgeries, schools, green spaces, and transport links to ensure communities are designed to last. The target housing mix outlined by the taskforce suggests around 40% of the dwellings would be affordable, with roughly 20% reserved for social housing, underscoring Labour’s emphasis on long‑term affordability.
Where might the towns be built?
Several sites are under consideration, with early discussions focusing on Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Crews Hill on the north side of London, and Leeds South Bank. Final site decisions are pending, and the list could evolve as plans progress. The commitment is to create places with at least 10,000 homes each, signaling a significant scale of development that would reshape regional housing markets and local infrastructure.
Funding, timing, and delivery
Labour says the programme would draw on the full power of the state paired with private investment to accelerate construction. While Reed is eager to press ahead, the cost and financing details will be clarified in subsequent discussions and assessments. The taskforce’s report, due to be published alongside or ahead of further policy papers, will shape how quickly approvals, land release, and construction could proceed.
Labour has pledged ambitious housing targets, including a broader promise to deliver 1.5 million new properties before the next general election. Analysts have questioned whether this target is realistically achievable within a single parliamentary cycle, given planning, infrastructure, and funding hurdles. Nevertheless, party officials argue that the new towns concept offers a coherent, scalable route to expanding affordable housing and stimulating economic growth.
Why now, and what it means for housing policy
Labour frames the proposal as national renewal in action, a deliberate departure from perceived quick fixes. The strategy ties housing to wider regional development, aiming to reduce overcrowding and reliance on temporary accommodation by expanding stable, well‑located communities. Proponents say the approach could help restore the dream of home ownership for many families while creating modern civic spaces and employment opportunities.
Opponents and critics may raise questions about cost, land use, and long‑term stewardship. They will likely press for clear milestones, transparent budgeting, and robust protections to ensure communities remain affordable and well‑managed over time. For now, Labour positions the new towns as a flagship project that could redefine England’s housing landscape if delivered with strong planning, public support, and private collaboration.
What happens next
The coming weeks will see the final site confirmations, funding discussions, and policy clarifications that will determine the pace of development. If approved, the 12 new towns could become a defining feature of Labour’s housing strategy, offering a long‑term answer to shortages that have left many families in temporary or insecure housing. The ambition is clear: build not just houses, but whole, thriving communities for families of all shapes and sizes.
