Housing Secretary Michael Gove criticises Labour Party’s housing policies, warning they endanger green spaces. Gove accuses Labour of disregarding local concerns and planning to develop green-belt areas for housing, sparking a clash over housing strategies.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove has criticized Labour Party’s housing policies, claiming they pose a threat to Britain’s green spaces. He accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of overlooking local community concerns and being willing to “concrete over the countryside.” Starmer has committed to launching an extensive housebuilding initiative if elected, which would potentially involve developing certain green-belt areas, referred to by Labour as “grey belt.”
The Conservative Party, which has a pledge to build 1.6 million homes while safeguarding green belt lands, contends Labour’s plans would endanger such spaces. Former Cabinet Secretary Dame Priti Patel echoed this sentiment, suggesting Starmer’s approach ignores local voices. Labour’s target is to build 1.5 million homes, though without promising to abolish stamp duty for properties under £425,000, a point Gove highlighted by suggesting Labour supports a “first-time buyers tax.”
Both parties have positioned housing as a critical issue ahead of the election, emphasizing the need for quick and extensive planning reforms to ensure timely and affordable housing development across the UK.
