"By tackling [housing costs] through comprehensive action, the government can make our country affordable again for everyone." Read my article for @bigissue.com on why the government should prioritise making housing - and the private rented sector - affordable. www.bigissue.com/opinion/priv...

The government can make our country affordable again for everyone. Ben Cooper, research manager at Fabian Housing Centre, writes.

Seems like a no-brainer way of addressing the housing crisis without damaging biodiversity, given that #golf courses take up twice as much land as all the current housing stock & are biodiversity deserts (that use huge amounts of water, put grass-treatment pollutants into watercourses...) KUTGW

Voters want more homes and more accessible green spaces. Building on golf courses is a way to deliver both. The government should make this argument - and they can win it. Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2026/02/stop...

“The government can and should take full advantage of the work being done across this ecosystem” @emmaburnell.bsky.social of @labourlist.bsky.social reflects on Fabian New Year Conference, and why the progressive policy space matters for Labour. labourlist.org/2026/01/labo...

Making it easier to build houses, rail, streets is crucial part of social democracy, according to Olaf Scholz. @thefabians.bsky.social

Introduced the Renewing Our Communities session @thefabians.bsky.social New Year Conference. Spoke about the Housing Centre's work on affordability and building great places to live. And it was great to hear from @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social + @sarahsackman.bsky.social

Many lessons from devolved governance in different countries: 1. Devolving is hard (eg France) 2. Coordination and respect are vital (eg Italy) 3. Fiscal devolution is essential (eg Germany) The Devolution Bill is England's chance to do this properly.

My latest column for @labourlist.bsky.social is about building desirable homes that last and meet the changing needs of the country. This means two things: 1) Every home must be accessible and adaptable 2) A Future Homes Standard that cuts energy bills labourlist.org/2026/01/hous...

“As the party that swept away slums, built new towns, and renewed housing estates, Labour should be committed to building great places to live” You can read @bencooper1995.bsky.social's introduction to the edited collection here: fabians.org.uk/great-places...

Today, @thefabians.bsky.social and the Fabian Housing Centre are publishing Beyond Numbers: Building Great Places to Live. This edited collection looks at how to build attractive, high-quality homes in flourishing communities. fabians.org.uk/publication/...

🚨 New Edited Collection 🚨 
 “Building 1.5m new homes is crucial for the future of this country” @bencooper1995.bsky.social introduces “Beyond Numbers”, which explores how we can build high-quality homes and develop flourishing communities 🌳🏠

Hear from Brad in the Fabian events team about what is coming up at New Year Conference: Renewing Britain 👇 📅 Saturday 24 January 📍 Central London 📢 Speakers include @wesstreeting, @Ed_Miliband, @LucyMPowell and many more 🚨 PLUS a very special guest keynote speaker

Want to know what rural voters really care about and what should the government do? @thefabians.bsky.social have got you covered Here’s our recent set of essays, led by @bencooper1995.bsky.social discussing rural priorities: housing, buses, tourism, energy and more fabians.org.uk/publication/...

A fantastic achievement that will improve rights for many. In the new year, we'll be looking at next steps. But for now, a lot of people who have worked incredibly hard on this can finally celebrate.

There is a need to address quality and accessibility if our housing stock is to meet the needs of an ageing society The benefits are significant for NHS, cost of living and downsizing Read Millie Brown from @ageingbetter.bsky.social and I for @insidehousing.bsky.social on how we can do this 👇

New paper out today:

It is great to see the Guardian focus on the Sea Wall and coastal voters. I spoke about how good policy isn't enough. "There is a feeling of disconnect in many of these places, and unless they tackle that, Labour will still struggle.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Sea Wall matters to Labour They are looking to Reform, but the government can win them back There should be a relentless focus on the cost of living But the Gov needs to show the country values the contribution that coastal communities make Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

The 'sea wall' is emblematic of the kinds of communities Labour must deliver for. The cost of living is what will matter there argues @bencooper1995.bsky.social in his latest column

Great to see more investment so every school can have a library. My first article for @thefabians.bsky.social Review in 2019(!) called for school libraries in every school. fabians.org.uk/the-never-fa...

England needs to ensure its homes are fit for an ageing population. Great to see @annadixonmp.bsky.social mention Forward Planning, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, in her excellent @labourlist.bsky.social piece. labourlist.org/2025/11/anna...

Today I have started my new role as a Senior Researcher at @thefabians.bsky.social I’m excited to get started developing new ideas and to continue (my longtime passion of) thinking about the future of the Left.

Book your place now, or join the Fabian Society to receive your free ticket! 👇 fabians.org.uk/event/new-ye...

📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain We're pleased to announce that @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social, Minister for Housing and Planning will be joining us at the Fabian Society New Year Conference!

And here we also recommend a living standards task force, to report in to such a committee:

We recommended a cabinet committee to oversee economic policy - with PM and Chancellor, and other ministers attending as needed: fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Great to see a new cabinet committee focused on growth and living standards - two vital cross-Whitehall agendas, and the right way to coordinate decision making (if done right!): www.gov.uk/government/p...

England is ageing As we build 1.5m new homes in this parliament, we need to ensure they are fit for this future And it needs to be easier for people to improve their properties as needs change Read my report for @thefabians.bsky.social + @ageingbetter.bsky.social fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

🔗 To find out more about how we can ensure older people live in good quality homes, follow the link below. fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Ben Cooper, Head of the Fabian House Centre, said:

🔧 Improve access to high-quality and trusted advice for housing repairs, improvements and adaptations.

🎯 Establish a national target for wheelchair accessible properties, in partnership with the housing sector.

🏗️ All new homes should meet the accessible and adaptable standard.

📝 With the government expected to release a housing strategy in the coming months, there’s an opportunity to deliver a bold vision of ageing better.

🌍 Regional inequality is stark: Yorkshire has half the proportion of homes with basic accessibility features compared to London.

🚫 Older homeowners are far more likely to live in poor quality and inaccessible housing than their younger counterparts. Only 8 per cent of older owner-occupied homes have four basic accessibility features.

📈 England’s population is ageing, with the number of people 55 and over in England set to grow by five million. This will reshape what people expect and need in a home. Right now, 1.9 million owner occupiers aged 55 or over living in a non-decent home.

🏡 How do we improve ageing at home? In “Forward Planning” @bencooper1995.bsky.social sets out how to ensure homes are decent and accessible for an ageing society.

And our work at @thefabians.bsky.social has long argued that the left needs to get on board with fiscal devolution - it empowers local places and makes for more regional equality...if done right fabians.org.uk/publication/...

I argued for this and other small-scale fiscal devolution here - see also business rate supplement and land value capture www.themj.co.uk/getting-fisc...

Great to see this! A visitor levy/tourism tax would be a small but really important step in the right direction for devolution - it would fund better public realm and other infrastructure tourists and residents use Let's hope the government follows through! www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Great to be in Number 10 with @lukeraikes.bsky.social today. We were talking about how to build more good quality homes in every part of the country - and the work of the Fabian Housing Centre. Get in touch if you want to hear more about our work.

Delighted that Primary Colours, my first ever report for @thefabians.bsky.social was referenced in the Curriculum and Assessment Review. The national curriculum needs to be strengthened to ensure every child has access to the arts. Read Primary Colours here: fabians.org.uk/publication/...

"With the next state pension age increase imminent, the government must act urgently to support those who struggle to make it to 67 and beyond.” The government must support older workers as the state pension age increases, argues @sasjkia.bsky.social. leftfootforward.org/2025/10/the-...

Cultured Communities, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, argued for reform to spread the benefits of cultural titles Great to see Lisa Nandy echo our recommendations in Town/City of Culture announcements: 🎨 Funding to prepare bids 🎵 Guaranteed funding for winners 🎭 Smaller impact awards

The task of building 1.5m new homes in a parliament is immense. We need to 'build baby build' social and council housing to meet it. Read my latest column for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/10/buil...

Want to know how we can deliver 1.5 million new homes this Parliament? Read ‘Breaking ground’ here 👇 fabians.org.uk/publication/...

Great to see @bencooper1995.bsky.social's report ‘Breaking ground’ featured in @insidehousing.bsky.social www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/late...

Excited to be joining @labourlist.bsky.social as a monthly columnist I'll be writing on housing, early years and a range of other topics I may even write about the Sea Wall and coastal areas - if I can sneak it past @emmaburnell.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/09/meet...