Everyone deserves a decent, safe, secure and affordable home in which to live. Today, our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme opens for bids. At least 60% of homes delivered through the programme will be for Social Rent.

This Labour government succeeded where the Tories failed – legislating to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and transform private renting. Now Reform want to repeal our Renters’ Rights Act and deny tenants the security, rights and protections they’ve secured. Disgraceful.

Out in force in East Greenwich this afternoon 🌹🌹🌹 Thanks to all residents who took the time to speak with us 🗣️

Our manifesto committed us to introducing effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning. Today, we’re launching a consultation on the geography for sub-regional Spatial Development Strategies 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/c...

The Renters’ Rights Act, the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system, the next generation of new towns, and a bold overhaul of our planning system. We’ve achieved so much over the past 19 months thanks to Keir’s leadership. Our focus must be on finishing the job.

Lovely to see so much support for the Save Our Swan campaign when out knocking on doors this morning in Charlton. If you’re in a position to do so, please consider donating. All donations returned if the target not hit👇🏻 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/whiteswana...

Three Rivers’ emerging local plan proposes to meet only 56% of identified local housing need. As I have little confidence it is satisfactory and capable of being found sound, I’ve issued a holding direction while I consider whether to take further action 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

This government is determined to unleash ambitious and high-quality sustainable growth in Greater Cambridge. We have today launched a consultation on proposals to establish a centrally-led Urban Development Corporation for the area 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/c...

In the wake of the publication of our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on Tuesday, lots of existing leaseholders have been in touch seeking clarity as to when the government plans to make it cheaper and easier to extend a lease or buy a freehold 🧵

Planning reform alone won’t solve the housing crisis. To ramp up housing supply, we also need to diversify the housing market, transform the housebuilding industry and use the full power of the state to drive development outcomes 👇🏻 www.ft.com/content/9dae...

Further evidence that the reforms we've made to the housing and planning system over the past 18 months are bearing fruit. This Labour government is acting to deliver high and sustainable rates of housebuilding in the years ahead.

We’re expanding our flagship New Homes Accelerator to unlock and accelerate development on more housing developments across the country facing delays. www.gov.uk/government/n...

This Labour government is ending the feudal leasehold system and easing cost of living pressures for millions of leaseholders across the country.

We promised in our manifesto to “tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges”. We’re honouring that commitment today by legislating to cap ground rents at £250 per year, changing to peppercorn after 40 years.

Out speaking to residents in West Greenwich this afternoon with local councillors and volunteers. Huge thanks to everyone who came out.

A big one today. Going to be tough but need to pick up some points. Let’s get behind the boys. #cafc

Wishing everyone in the constituency and beyond a happy and peaceful New Year. All the best for 2026.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen delays, the government has not been able to publish the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill before the Commons Christmas Recess. My letter to the Chair of the Select Committee making clear we expect to be in a position to do so early in the new year 👇🏻

We pledged in our manifesto to bring the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ and unfair maintenance costs to an end. Today, we’re setting out proposals to ensure homeowners on freehold housing estates get a fair deal 👇🏻 questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

Our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill has just received Royal Assent - that means it is now an Act of Parliament and the law. Through the measures in this Act we will speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure. #GetBritainBuilding

This week we announced the most significant reform to national planning policy in decades. A wholly restructured NPPF that maintains and builds on the initial revisions we made last year and incorporates new clear and rules-based national policies for plan and decision-making.

Visit to the QE Hospital this morning to discuss the considerable progress made over the past 12 months with CEO, Ben Travis. Challenges remain but the streamlining of the Emergency Department and a renewed focus on improving patient experience have made a real difference.

📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain Say hello to the first confirmed speakers joining us in January! @lucympowell.bsky.social, @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social, @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and Sir Stephen Timms MP Who else might be joining the lineup? Find out soon 👀

Child poverty blights lives. After years of it rising under Tories, Labour is beginning to turn the tide. Today, we publish our Child Poverty Strategy to drive the biggest reduction of child poverty in a single Parliament 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

As we take forward proposals to strengthen the regulation of managing agents, we expect to see FirstPort and others taking action to improve their standards and quality of service. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

We are pushing ahead with the biggest overhaul of our planning system in a generation. Good to attend the Land, Planning And Development Federation’s Annual Conference earlier today to discuss our plans to boost local plan coverage and further streamline the planning process.

This government is committed to achieving universal local plan coverage. We’re reforming the plan-making system to ensure that local plans are faster to prepare and simpler to access and understand 👇🏻 questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

Labour will lift 450,000 children out of poverty by scrapping the two-child benefit cap introduced by the Tories.

With all disagreements between the Commons and the Lords now resolved, our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill is on course to receive Royal Assent before the end of the year. Labour is getting Britain building again.

The DLR is coming to Thamesmead. The extension will boost connectivity, unlock the delivery of thousands of new homes, and drive economic growth. Great news for Greenwich and South East London.

Good visit to Ebbsfleet Garden City this week to see recent progress on this vital regeneration project and discuss how we can accelerate the build out of new homes and essential infrastructure.

The statutory consultee system is not working effectively. We have today published a consultation on a package of reforms that will ensure it facilitates confident and timely decision making 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/c...

We are moving towards a more rules-based planning system. As part of that shift, the default answer to suitable planning applications within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations will be a straightforward “yes”.

On 1 May 2026, we will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions when we switch on the new private rented sector tenancy system. More details in our roadmap for implementing the Renters’ Rights Act published today 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

An honour to take part in this morning’s Service of Remembrance at St George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich. Lest we forget.

Happy World Town Planning Day for those who celebrate!

This weekend we come together to honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died for our country. As ever, a privilege to take part in Remembrance Day services at Maze Hill, St. John's Blackheath, Charlton Village and Charlton cemetery. We will remember them.

Cutty Sark DLR Station refurbishment: update on progress. ✅ The project continues to run on schedule. ✅ Faulty escalators 1 and 2 have been completely removed. ✅ Manufacturing of the new escalators is complete. ✅ Escalator 3 installation commenced on 4 November.

🏘️We welcome today’s publication of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme prospectuses and the additional £150 million to unlock brownfield land. Read our reaction in full, and find out more on our website ➡️https://www.cih.org/news/social-and-affordable-homes-programme-prospectuses-published/

This Labour government is tackling England’s housing crisis by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Today we’re launching the full details of our new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

Gorgeous afternoon for it. #cafc

It was great to welcome the Minister of State for Housing and Planning @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social to Knowsley to meet businesses who create housing that is sustainable and energy bill free. Thanks very much to Hemsec for having us, and to the other people who attended.

This Labour government is committed to strengthening the regulation of managing agents to drive up service standards across the industry. I have asked Firstport’s Managing Director to meet with me to discuss the significant concerns raised by MPs of all parties.

Labour’s Renters’ Rights Act is here 👇🏻

Labour’s Renters’ Rights Act is here 👇🏻

Labour’s transformational Renters’ Rights Bill has just received Royal Assent – that means it is now an Act of Parliament and the law. The Act levels decisively the playing field between landlord and tenant and will improve the lives of millions of renters across the country.

This Labour government is determined to drive a transformational and lasting change in the safety and quality of social housing. Awaab’s Law will empower social tenants to hold their landlords to account and I'm extremely proud that we are bringing it into force today.

I'm delighted that Appleby Blue Almshouse in Southwark has won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 Following a robust defence from the government, the High Court has comprehensively dismissed challenges brought to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.