“This is my message to housebuilders: get on with it. If you promise homes, you have to build them.”
– Prime Minister Keir Starmer, 25 May 2025
On the surface, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent tweet, and the government’s new Planning Reform Working Paper Speeding Up Build Out, may strike a chord with many. After all, who doesn’t want to see more homes built – faster and more affordably?
Especially in light of the OBR quickly walking back their predictions that housebuilding will reach a ‘40-year high andboost the economy’. And latest UK Construction PMI figures that overall construction activity has seen its steepest decline since May 2020, with residential building falling to 39.3 (from 48.1 in January) – its lowest level since early 2009 outside the pandemic.
New orders are dropping at their fastest rate in nearly five years, job losses are accelerating, and costs are rising.
But while the ambition behind these reforms is commendable, it’s equally crucial to ensure that speed doesn’t come at the cost of safety, quality or long-term viability. As someone who has worked in the property and finance sector for over two decades, I’m deeply concerned about what could happen if the message being sent to developers is not accompanied by realism – and responsibility.
Let’s be clear: the UK needs more homes. The government’s target of 1.5 million new homes over the course of this parliament is bold, necessary, and overdue. However, it cannot be achieved through scare tactics or punitive measures alone.
Housebuilding is
not an assembly line
The suggestion that developers should be fined tens of thousands of pounds if they fall 10% behind on their build schedules – regardless of the many external factors they may face – is an oversimplification of a deeply complex issue.
BEWARE THE DANGERS OF RUSHED DEVELOPMENT
Housebuilding is not an assembly line. It’s a nuanced process, involving supply chains, skilled labour, weather conditions, material shortages, and economic conditions that change by the day.
It’s true that there are bad actors who sit on land without progressing developments. But let’s not forget that the vast majority of developers – especially SMEs – are already working with razor-thin margins, rising costs, and difficult planning hurdles.
Forcing developers into tight construction deadlines without addressing these systemic challenges risks encouraging shortcuts. And we’ve all seen the consequences when corners are cut. The Grenfell tragedy remains a devastating reminder of what can happen when building safety is compromised. No housing target is worth repeating that mistake.
“BACKING THE BUILDERS” – BUT WHICH ONES?
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says the government is “backing the builders not the blockers.” But many of us in the industry feel the opposite. SMEs, which are vital to reaching housing targets and revitalising local economies, are often overlooked in favour of the larger players.
access to finance
remains a huge barrier
Black & White Bridging has helped facilitate over 1,000 new homes by financing SME developers with tailored short-term funding – but access to finance remains a huge barrier. The government’s focus must include incentives and practical support, not just penalties.
Without the right kind of backing – whether that’s simplified access to land, clearer planning policies, or support for workforce training – these reforms may do little more than push smaller developers out of the market entirely. And fewer players means fewer homes, not more.
BUILDING FOR THE LONG TERM, NOT JUST THE HEADLINES
The government’s recent investments in social housing, regeneration, and construction training are welcome steps. But to truly meet the needs of future generations, reforms must be crafted with the long-term in mind. That includes:
- Prioritising quality and safety over arbitrary build timelines.
- Providing real support for SME developers, not just imposing fines.
- Creating a stable pipeline of skilled workers through sustained training investment.
- Listening to industry insight, not just headline figures.
Ultimately, housing isn’t just about numbers – it’s about people, communities, and lives. Building 1.5 million homes should not mean rushing developments at any cost. Because if we chase speed without care, we’ll pay a much heavier price than fines: we’ll risk building homes that aren’t fit for the families who need them most.
Let’s build better. Not just faster.
