UK government’s building acceleration package fails to address deepening housing crisis

Despite promises of reform, the UK government’s latest ‘building acceleration package’ falls short amid declining applications and approvals, exposing ongoing systemic failures under Labour’s housing policies.

The UK government’s so-called “building acceleration package” is yet another attempt to paper over the cracks in a failing housing system pushed to the brink by ineptitude and overregulation. With housing and planning figures for England showing a sharp decline in applications and approvals—excluding London, where the slowdown is even more pronounced—it’s clear that this government’s empty promises are failing the very people they claim to serve.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who only recently took office, dismisses the current planning system as “archaic,” as if bureaucratic red tape is the main barrier, rather than Labour’s own policies that choke off development at every turn. The latest figures reveal a troubling 5% drop in applications between April and June 2025, with approvals stagnating at just 83% in London—the lowest on record. Instead of addressing the root causes of this stagnation, Reed’s response is to “work closely” with London Mayor Sadiq Khan—a politician whose policies have only worsened the housing shortage—while promising an overhaul that amounts to little more than empty rhetoric.

The reality is that under Labour’s watch, housing permissions have plummeted to their lowest levels ever. In the same period, just 7,609 projects received planning consent—a stark 5% decline from the previous year. Factors such as rising costs, sluggish sales, and bureaucratic delays are making it increasingly difficult to build homes, especially in regions like London and the East Midlands where approvals have fallen by around 12%. Yet Labour continues to double down on their failed approach, blaming market conditions rather than acknowledging that their overregulation is to blame.

Reed claims that reforms will kickstart the “biggest era of house building” in history, but such promises ring hollow. The government’s focus remains on superficial tweaks rather than tackling the systemic issues of planning inertia and excessive regulation that hinder growth. Their failure to cut through red tape and obstacles means more families are left waiting in limbo, unable to secure affordable homes.

Meanwhile, opposition critics—like the Conservative shadow housing secretary—rightly blame Labour for the housing crisis, citing excessive taxation, bloated regulation, and poor economic management. Labour’s approach has long been a barrier to growth, and this latest announcement is just another sign of their inability to deliver real solutions.

In reality, only a radical shift towards less regulation and a commitment to cutting costs and delays will reverse this downward trend. These empty promises won’t build homes—only free-market reforms and decisive action can do that. As the housing crisis deepens, it’s clear that Labour’s policies have no place in solving it; the time for real change is long overdue.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 18 September 2025. The ‘building acceleration package’ is a new initiative, indicating originality. However, similar discussions about housing and planning figures have been reported in the past, such as the 5% drop in applications between April and June 2025. ([todaysconveyancer.co.uk](https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/planning-permission-new-homes-record-low/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the narrative is based on recent data but may not be entirely fresh.

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The direct quote from Housing Secretary Steve Reed, ‘It’s time to build, baby, build,’ appears to be original, with no exact matches found in earlier material. However, similar sentiments have been expressed by Reed in previous statements, indicating a possible reuse of themes.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable news outlet in Northern Ireland. The report cites official data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The claims about the 5% drop in housing applications between April and June 2025 and the 83% approval rate in London are consistent with data from the Home Builders Federation. ([todaysconveyancer.co.uk](https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/planning-permission-new-homes-record-low/?utm_source=openai)) The announcement of a ‘building acceleration package’ aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to address housing shortages. However, the dramatic tone of phrases like ’empty promises’ and ‘failed approach’ may reflect the author’s opinion rather than objective reporting.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is recent and originates from a reputable source, with claims supported by official data. While some language reflects opinion, the factual content is credible.