How do we define success in housing? Some reflections on LHG's policy day, this week's planning announcements, and how we ensure that Labour's housing successes turn into human outcomes. open.substack.com/pub/housinga...

So I decided to start a Substack! Working in housing and politics, I am lucky to listen in on fascinating conversations and events, which I wanted to write up and think about more. Starting off on Steve Reed at the Select Committee and LHA rates: housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...

So proud of the whole @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social team for making Labour Conference’s first-ever Housing Zone a huge success. Our 18 events across 3 days covered the breadth and depth of the housing crisis, now it’s time to take their energy and ideas and put them into action.

Others have noted that this means foreign-born people are LESS likely than UK-born people to be in prison. What I want to note is that The Times is now referring to foreign-born UK citizens as ‘foreigners’. This includes Boris Johnson, Sir Mo Farah, Emma Watson, Rory Stewart and little old me.

The Housing Theory of Everything strikes again: “English-speaking governments, policymakers and societies have raised a generation to play the home ownership game. They have then not so much ripped up the rule book as confiscated the board and all the pieces without explanation” on.ft.com/44PJSJg

Since the election Labour has got to grips with the housing crisis, going above and beyond to lay the groundwork to build 1.5 million homes, deliver a generational boost in social housing, and fix flawed tenures. More on their wins from me at @redbrickblog.bsky.social 👇

Thanks to @alextoal.bsky.social for organising the first book club meeting of @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social A thumbs up for the first book!

Excited to debut our 'Class of 2024' series ahead of the anniversary of the election next week, with new Labour MPs looking back at the Government's housing achievements over the past year. Be sure to check out our first piece from Shaun Davies on New Towns:

Another chart, just for London. Repurposing all empty homes - including those we technically can't - get London to <1/2 of its 10-year housebuilding target. But doing so disregards the places where new homes are needed and the useful role empty homes have. www.centreforcities.org/blog/there-a...

I mean I also think that we’re also a nation of having-somewhere-to-live-lovers and that we need new homes, pylons and railways to counter the climate crisis.

People want change, and conveniently Labour is in power with a massive majority and able to deliver it. I've written about why the party needs to concentrate on carrying out its agenda: labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...

Not to ruin your day but I just looked up “rizz” in Hansard and the single result it returns from the 21st century so much worse than you could imagine.

The Housing Forum is very pleased to see today's announcement of £2bn additional funding for affordable housing this parliament. www.gov.uk/government/n...

One for housing nerds, the Government has just published their timber in construction roadmap. A clear area of improvement for the UK’s built environment, which uses a lot less timber than comparable countries: www.gov.uk/government/p...

For too long, residents have endured noisy, disruptive pedicabs. TfL is consulting on cracking down on this issue under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024—let’s ensure amplified noise is banned for good. Join me in calling for TfL to stop the noise. www.rachelblake.org.uk/stopthenoise

This is pretty big - research from @centreforcities.bsky.social has showed that there is land for 2m new homes around stations in the green belt alone: www.centreforcities.org/press/centre...

Public investment in social housing will be crucial over the coming Parliament to reverse decades of chronic under-investment. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/4jdDb8W

A provoking title from Andy and a great point underlying it. Streeting has frequently referred to himself as the “patient-in-chief” when discussing NHS reform, and work is needed to ensure that social tenants are empowered and treated with greater respect.

NEW | Will the Renters’ Rights Bill transform the Private Rented Sector? Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s 3rd Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the new PRS database. redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/rent...

Going through IPPR’s new report on improving turnout and spotted this table, a version of which every piece of similar research should have

Today's extra £1bn for addressing homelessness is truly welcome. Previously, Matt Downie from Crisis laid out a road map in Red Brick for how the Government could end homelessness for good: redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/this...

While Kemi Badenoch has intentionally run a policy-lite leadership so far, we actually know a fair bit about her housing stances, particularly from her time as Shadow Housing Minister. What does this say and why is it worrying? 🧵

Another housing win for Labour, fixing the nutrient neutrality issues by creating a nature restoration fund paid into by developers in areas of high nutrient pollution. Labour promised a win-win for housing and nature and is delivering in government. www.thetimes.com/article/37ea...

So, at some point we need to start talking about the Greens and housing. Lots of Labour folk online like to talk about Green councillors blocking developments, or wading into debates about rent controls. But what is the Greens' housing vision, and why should it worry us? 🧵

Some people in the new place may not know, but Red Brick has a newsletter covering the latest in housing news, events and research. You can sign up here for free to stau up-to-date with all the latest housing news! redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/

One reality which many are still coming to terms with post-election is that, for the foreseeable future we are in a 5-party world. A project I am working on with Red Brick is figuring out how we talk about each party with regard to housing. Our first piece on Reform below...

A great write-up of the recent call-in at Sittingbourne by MHCLG, but a shame that the piece so heavily refers to the land banking as an issue, rather than the planning system which creates it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Thank you to everyone who has followed me and @redbrickblog.bsky.social since the Xodus! This is a quick bit on who we are and what we do, be sure to get in touch if you want to write something:

Thank you to everyone who has followed us in the past few days! Red Brick is the official blog of Labour Housing Group, publishing weekly pieces about how to fix the housing crisis. We take pitches from anyone about anything, get in touch with us at [email protected]

NEW ARTICLE | The Autumn Budget: What’s in it for housing? The first Labour budget in 14 years has been delivered, with funding for housing delivery, decarbonisation and cladding remediation. Our editor @alextoal.bsky.social has the story in full: redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/autu...

Tomorrow will mark the first Labour budget in 14 years, with many exciting announcements for housing already trailed. But what is the housing sector asking for? 🧵

This month sees the first budget under a Labour government since I was 12! What support does the social housing sector need? From the Affordable Homes Programme, decarbonisation funding, and supported housing, Kate Henderson lays it out for us in our latest Red Brick piece:

Labour Conference is kicking off today! What are our big Sunday highlights for housing? First off, at 3:30pm: "How can Labour fix the renting crisis?" with the Renters' Reform Coalition and a panel including Victoria Spratt, @darlingtom.bsky.social and Rachel Blake MP

Red Brick has been a victim of its own success (aka we got too many subscribers and maxxed out our monthly email usage) so 'Housing Wrapped' will be published on our website for the next few weeks! Be sure to check it out and subscribe for when we're back up and running: