When labor came to power last summer, housing affordability, housing supply, planning reform and tenant rights were key priorities.
I have pledged to address all these challenges, but what evidence is that real progress is being made? 
The government has recently committed to a new mortgage guarantee scheme, but it is still to provide clearer details about this.
Again, if the devil is usually in detail, it doesn't seem to be in detail.
A real solution requires collaboration, clarity and commitment to ongoing dialogue. Not just policy headlines that create uncertainty
This is featured by ONP Group Relations Director Sharon Beadham.
She said: “The new mortgage guarantee scheme is positioned as a game changer for first-time buyers, but we are currently awaiting important details.
“This may be another example of a government announcement that lacks the clarity needed for businesses and lenders to actually function.”
Beedham adds: “Without a clear framework for eligibility, risk sharing and long-term viability, can lenders be confident in supporting borrowers? And, more importantly, how can buyers plan their future when rules remain vague?”
A survey conducted by Santander UK earlier this year revealed that 85% of mortgage brokers saw healthy demand from customers in “new towns” homes across the UK.
In February, Prime Minister Kielstarmer proudly announced that up to 12 new towns would begin construction, with around 10,000 homes each. However, the time slots were not very encouraging. Before the next general election.
Governments can promise reforms, but without significant investment in local government resources, regulatory oversight and tenant advocacy, these policies risk becoming empty gestures.
The meaning is that results are likely to be displayed only at the rear of pre-employment hours.
Christian Miles, a mortgage advisor at the Fort Advice Department, understands the industry's frustration at a slow pace of progress.
“The proposed new town suggests that construction is planned before the next election, and that actual impacts may not be realized until the second half of the worker's tenure. Given the historic delays and bottleneck plans, I will be cautious about whether these promises will be converted into meaningful outcomes before the next election cycle. Finding resources to build new homes is a big issue in itself.”
Target Group's sales and growth lead Melanie Spencer says the overall industry-wide consensus is that everything the government has announced so far sounds promising, but there is growing skepticism about how much it will actually be delivered.
How can buyers plan their future if rules remain vague?
“In addition to planning reforms, the latest budget has announced billions of pounds of funding for 2025/26 for affordable housing and housing guarantee schemes. “The concern is that, although positive, the ocean will be slightly reduced towards this year's goals, not to mention the overall goals of 1.5 million homes.
“It raises the question: how do they actually provide this goal that the previous government has never done? If they push the question even further into their administration, it only makes the problem worse.”
Spencer continues. “The problem is that so far, government approaches are too one-dimensional and focus solely on housing delivery. The supply of new homes is absolutely important, and plays a role in improving availability and calming home prices, but that's certainly not a silver bullet. There are challenges, particularly with regard to skills, supply chain and trust across the market.”
Beadham also identifies a disconnect between government policies and the industries that are expected to implement them.
She argues that if workers are serious about boosting homeownership, they need to be directly and transparently involved with lenders, developers and industry experts before making an announcement.
“A good scheme of poorly executed will help no one,” says Beedham.
Please be aware if these promises will be translated into meaningful outcomes before the next election cycle
“A practical solution requires collaboration, clarity, and commitment to ongoing dialogue, not just policy headlines that create uncertainty. It remains to be seen whether labor will fulfill its promises and provide policies that actually work, or whether it will be another case of announcement without the details needed to influence actual change.”
Another recent government promise to grab another headline was the crackdown on fraudulent landlords. This adds to the broader commitment to reform the rental sector set out in the Renters Rights Bill.
Black & White Bridging of Credit and Operations Heather Hancock emphasizes that Labour's commitment to cracking down on fraudulent landowners who exploit housing benefits systems is a step in the right direction, but the underlying issue is overlooked: it has the ability to enforce.
“While the government can promise reforms, these policies risk becoming empty gestures without significant investment in local government resources, regulatory oversight and tenant advocacy. Councils are already struggling with over-expanded enforcement teams, meaning that even with new regulations, fraudulent landlords could continue to operate with little consequence.”
Is this another example of a government announcement that lacks the clarity needed for businesses and lenders to actually function?
Hancock says workers need to address the root causes of poor housing conditions. Why do some landlords feel encouraged to provide substandard accommodation in the first place?
“True crackdown requires not only penalties, but also changes in incentives where such exploitation can thrive,” she says.
“A more stringent licensing, improved reporting mechanisms, and real support for both tenants and landlords is essential. Without these, the promise to clean up the rental sector will just keep up – a promise, not a solution.”
This article was featured in the March 2025 edition of the Mortgage Strategy.
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