Andy Burnham, the Makerfield MP widely expected to become the next Prime Minister after securing 322 Labour MP nominations, has unveiled plans to launch the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period to tackle the UK's housing crisis.
Overwhelming Support from Labour MPs
With more than 80 per cent of Labour MPs backing him, Burnham is 'almost guaranteed' to succeed Sir Keir Starmer. The nominations closed at 5pm on Thursday, July 10, with Burnham far ahead of any other candidate.
Reddit AMA Housing Pledge
During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session on July 3, Burnham responded to a user asking, 'What will you do to fix the housing crisis?' by stating: 'Launch the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period. Nothing else will fix it.'
Speech at People's History Museum
In a speech on June 29 at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, Burnham elaborated on his plans to 'repair the public housing stock'. He noted that Britain has lost almost 1.5 million council homes since the 1980s, while a similar number of people are on housing waiting lists.
'As a result, the country is in a housing trap. We are forced to chase rents in the private-rented sector through the benefits system,' Burnham said. 'When governments try to control these costs by freezing Local Housing Allowance, it makes families homeless and places unfunded pressures on councils.'
No 10 North and Public Land Use
Burnham proposed that a 'No 10 North' office would oversee the programme, using vacant public land to reduce costs. He emphasized a shift to a more preventative and productive state, adopting a national Housing First philosophy similar to Finland's successful model.
Restoring Working Class Aspiration
Reflecting on his upbringing in the 1970s, Burnham said: 'There were two things that were the foundation of working class aspiration. A council home – a secure home – that was the foundation for everything. And then good technical education. Those things have been taken away in the decades since.'
He added: 'We haven’t been giving people this stability – this ability to get on in life and it’s time we did. And brought back working class aspiration.'
Impact on Health, Education, and High Streets
Burnham argued that a good home is essential for a good life, sustainable health service, and good education. The new approach would bring higher density residential development to towns, protect green spaces, and reform business rates to support pubs and high street businesses.
'Ours is a 10-year mission to raise people’s living standards,' Burnham concluded. 'I know people can’t wait forever for change. I will do my very best to deliver it and, whilst not taking risks with the public finances, will seek to give Britain some breathing space as soon as I can.'
