General election 2024: what’s next for Welsh housing associations?
Just days after the final results were revealed, the new UK Government has already started announcing key policy moves, and developing plans for its first month running the country.
A new cabinet has been put in place, with Angela Rayner taking on the role of secretary of state for the renamed housing, communities and local government department. Other notable appointments for the housing sector include Rachel Reeves (chancellor), Wes Streeting (health secretary), Ed Miliband (energy secretary) and Liz Kendall (work and pensions secretary).
In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced measures to reform the planning system and reintroduce housing targets in England. The new government will want to see English councils prioritising brownfield and grey belt land for development.
The ban on onshore wind in England has also been lifted. The Labour government wants to bring onshore wind back into a “nationally significant infrastructure projects regime, meaning decisions on large developments will be taken nationally, not locally”. They will also give priority to energy projects in the system to speed up progress.
Planning is a devolved matter to Welsh Government, however these measures are important because:
It highlights the need for planning reform across the whole of the UK.
Increasing renewable energy sources across the UK can bring down the cost of electricity at a time when many residents are faced with unaffordable energy bills.
Looking to Wales, Jo Stevens - MP for Cardiff East - has been appointed secretary of state for the country, and announced that her “absolute priority is to deliver for Wales and work with the Welsh Government to stabilise the economy, drive investment and create jobs.”
Adding, “As a result of our plans, people across Wales will share in that prosperity and we will tackle deprivation and poverty together.”
In its Welsh manifesto, Labour set out how the two Labour governments could work together to deliver the ambition of a prosperous Wales.
Next steps for housing associations
While the speed at which the new government has got to work is encouraging, we are continuing to urge UK Government to take urgent action and:
make a holistic approach to welfare support that prevents homelessness and supports access to the rental market;
reform Universal Credit to ensure that claimants can pay for basic essentials as a minimum;
improve the Universal Credit system for both claimants and housing associations;
create an energy system that protects low-income households;
commit to supporting the social housing sector to achieve its net zero goals.
We are also continuing to engage with UK Government, and build relationships with new and returning Welsh MPs.
In addition, we are working with the housing associations we represent, to ensure local MPs can see how the cost of living continues to push social housing tenants into crisis, and can work with us to continue building a Wales where everyone has access to a decent, affordable home.
Advice for members
Our policy team has developed initial advice and assets for you to engage with your local MP - you can find them on our Housing Hub here. The hub also hosts our latest general election briefing, focused on the results and next steps for members.
We are also hosting Cathy Owens, director at public affairs agency Deryn, in an exclusive webinar for members on 15 July 2024. In this session, Cathy will share Deryn's initial analysis of the general election results, discuss what they mean for Wales, and highlight potential challenges and influencing opportunities for Welsh housing associations.
Click the link below to find out more.
Public Affairs with Cathy Owens: General Election results - implications and opportunities
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