Sam Lloyd Jones, senior account executive for DevComms South East, weighs up the approach of the new Secretary of State for Housing and considers the way ahead. 

Steve Reed has only been in post as Secretary of State for Housing for a few weeks, but his presence is already being felt.

His bold call to Build baby build is more than a soundbite – it sets the tone for what could be a more assertive and interventionist approach to housing delivery than we have seen in recent years.

After a muted 2025 under Angela Rayner, whose dual role as Deputy Leader diluted focus on the housing brief, Reed arrives with one clear remit: make Labour’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes a reality.

The development sector has heard similar promises before, but Reed’s early moves suggest this could be different.

A shift in tone – intervention, not observation

Reed has wasted no time in flexing ministerial authority. His department has already issued intervention letters to councils on stalled Local Plans and planning performance. This signals a willingness to take direct action when local planning authorities (LPA) fail to meet expectations – a marked departure from the more hands-off approach of recent years.

For local authorities, this could mean sharper accountability and reduced room for delay. For the development sector, it may mean that sites previously caught in the bottleneck of Local Plan inertia or protracted decision-making could finally start to move forward.

Unlocking land – the critical pressure point

The reality is that housing delivery is only possible if land is allocated and released.

Currently, more than 60 local authorities are without an up-to-date Local Plan, leaving housing land supply uncertain and open to challenge. By accelerating plan-making and signalling willingness to intervene, Reed is attempting to unclog the pipeline at source.

For developers and promoters, this creates both opportunity and challenge. Schemes that have been stalled by policy vacuum could gain new momentum.

At the same time, greater scrutiny on local authorities may also lead to tougher expectations around design quality, sustainability, and infrastructure provision – aligning with Labour’s wider emphasis on ‘good growth’.

Planning performance – addressing the bottlenecks

Perhaps the most pressing issue for delivery is planning performance itself. Decision-making delays, under-resourced planning teams and inconsistent approaches across LPAs continue to be a drag on supply.

Reed’s early interventions suggest that the Government recognises performance is not just a technical issue but a systemic barrier to delivery.

However, without parallel investment in planning capacity, there is a risk that central pressure alone will not be enough. Many LPAs are already operating with stretched resources, struggling to recruit and retain experienced planners.

The sector will be watching closely to see whether the Government backs up its demands with funding or reforms to support councils in meeting expectations.

Political will vs delivery reality

The politics of housing delivery is notoriously complex. National targets can provide clarity and ambition, but delivery ultimately depends on hundreds of local authorities, private developers, housing associations and communities working together. Reed’s early actions show determination, but questions remain:

  • Can intervention alone deliver the cultural and practical change needed in local plan-making?
  • Will LPAs be supported to improve performance, or simply measured and penalised?
  • How will Reed balance the pressure for speed with Labour’s commitments on affordable housing, sustainability, and community engagement?

What this means for the sector

For landowners, promoters, and developers, Reed’s arrival represents both risk and opportunity. The clear political message is that housing delivery is back at the top of the agenda – and that underperformance will not be tolerated. This could translate into a more predictable environment where stalled plans and schemes finally gain traction.

But with that comes increased scrutiny. Housing numbers alone will not be enough. The focus on quality, place-making, and infrastructure will likely intensify, requiring developers to demonstrate not just deliverability, but alignment with wider policy objectives.

The DevComms view

Reed’s energetic start suggests housing will no longer be the secondary priority it risked becoming in 2025. His single focus on this portfolio, combined with a willingness to intervene, could set the stage for a more decisive policy environment.

For our clients, this means an evolving landscape where opportunities to bring forward land and schemes could accelerate – but also where political, community, and policy expectations will be higher. Early engagement, clear communications, and a readiness to demonstrate social and environmental value will be critical.

Build baby build may be the slogan – but the reality is that delivery will require a coalition of will, resource, and trust. The coming months will reveal whether Reed’s approach can bridge the gap between political ambition and on-the-ground delivery.

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