Anna Clarke
@annaclarke.bsky.social
Policy and Public Affairs at The Housing Forum. Interested in UK housing policy, planning, economics, housebuilding, energy, social policy. Views are my own. Cambridge based. https://housingforum.org.uk/
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Well this is utterly depressing
How London unwittingly killed housebuilding - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
How London unwittingly killed housebuilding - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
How London unwittingly killed housebuilding
A perfect storm of policy and regulatory headwinds has slowed new construction to a trickle
giftarticle.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Well this is utterly depressing
How London unwittingly killed housebuilding - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
How London unwittingly killed housebuilding - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Second staircases in buildings under 30m height will save one life every 6,153 years, but this requirement is reducing housebuilding, so 90,000 fewer homes built over 5 years.
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
The staircase safety rule costing the UK 90,000 new homes
The need for a second staircase, brought in by the Conservatives after the Grenfell Tower disaster, have frustrated housebuilders, who claim it is unnecessary
www.thetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Second staircases in buildings under 30m height will save one life every 6,153 years, but this requirement is reducing housebuilding, so 90,000 fewer homes built over 5 years.
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Congratulations to @cagewarwick.bsky.social Their report: Solving Britain’s Housing Crisis: Where and how to build 1.5 million homes has been selected by our Editorial Panel as one of the 'must read' reports of 2025, www.thinkhouse.org.uk/reports/2025/ #ukhousing #housingresearch #housingpolicy
Housing reports and policy documents from 2025
A repository for reports from across the housing sector published in 2025.
www.thinkhouse.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Congratulations to @cagewarwick.bsky.social Their report: Solving Britain’s Housing Crisis: Where and how to build 1.5 million homes has been selected by our Editorial Panel as one of the 'must read' reports of 2025, www.thinkhouse.org.uk/reports/2025/ #ukhousing #housingresearch #housingpolicy
Second staircases in buildings under 30m height will save one life every 6,153 years, but this requirement is reducing housebuilding, so 90,000 fewer homes built over 5 years.
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
The staircase safety rule costing the UK 90,000 new homes
The need for a second staircase, brought in by the Conservatives after the Grenfell Tower disaster, have frustrated housebuilders, who claim it is unnecessary
www.thetimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Second staircases in buildings under 30m height will save one life every 6,153 years, but this requirement is reducing housebuilding, so 90,000 fewer homes built over 5 years.
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Meanwhile 74 children have died from poor conditions temporary accommodation in 5 years.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
To be clear - these are not "surplus" homes - they're much-wanted social homes, that social landlords are considering selling to alleviate financial pressure.
The proposed solution here is that they're sold to an investment vehicle to be let to homeless people at higher rents.
The proposed solution here is that they're sold to an investment vehicle to be let to homeless people at higher rents.
February 5, 2026 at 11:41 AM
To be clear - these are not "surplus" homes - they're much-wanted social homes, that social landlords are considering selling to alleviate financial pressure.
The proposed solution here is that they're sold to an investment vehicle to be let to homeless people at higher rents.
The proposed solution here is that they're sold to an investment vehicle to be let to homeless people at higher rents.
This is a really interesting thread showing the potential to densify housing in areas with lots of detached houses and large(ish) gardens. We could do a lot more of this.
NEW REPORT out today. TLDR: Rules-based planning works and we can introduce it in British cities relatively easily.
A small thread on Croydon’s 3-year planning ‘experiment’ and what it means for urban planning…
A small thread on Croydon’s 3-year planning ‘experiment’ and what it means for urban planning…
February 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
This is a really interesting thread showing the potential to densify housing in areas with lots of detached houses and large(ish) gardens. We could do a lot more of this.
"The price just doesn't matter if you can't get a home".
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
Rent controls are coming to the UK - but they're not a guaranteed win for tenants
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 7:20 AM
"The price just doesn't matter if you can't get a home".
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Good write up here of the problems of trying to use rent controls to force down private rents.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This is an interesting read on the impact of recent policy change on second homes and holiday lets - it's quite a complex picture, as homeowners respond to the changes by reclassifying homes, and with newbuild homes temporarily classed as vacant/second homes until they're first occupied.
Holiday lets are pricing locals out of their own communities.
The Government must give councils the powers they need to license and limit them, now. Without action, tourism will keep taking homes.
Read more in our latest blog 👇
www.generationrent.org/2026/02/02/w...
The Government must give councils the powers they need to license and limit them, now. Without action, tourism will keep taking homes.
Read more in our latest blog 👇
www.generationrent.org/2026/02/02/w...
What have tax changes done to the number of holiday homes? - Generation Rent
Over the past decade, the rapid growth of second homes and AirBnb-style short term lets has increasingly driven families out of their communities as their homes get repurposed as holiday homes for tou...
www.generationrent.org
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
This is an interesting read on the impact of recent policy change on second homes and holiday lets - it's quite a complex picture, as homeowners respond to the changes by reclassifying homes, and with newbuild homes temporarily classed as vacant/second homes until they're first occupied.
This is a really interesting read setting out the historical context and political changes in attitudes towards immigration over the last 30+ years.
Brexit and Immigration: the Arc of the Pendulum
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
consoc.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 1:56 PM
This is a really interesting read setting out the historical context and political changes in attitudes towards immigration over the last 30+ years.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Homicides in England and Wales at lowest level in nearly 50 years www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Homicides at lowest level in nearly 50 years, ONS statistics show
The 499 cases of murder and manslaughter in the year to September are the lowest in England and Wales since 1977.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Homicides in England and Wales at lowest level in nearly 50 years www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Some really helpful announcements here for supporting the supply of new social housing:
- Loans to landlords at just 0.1% interest
- £3.5m for the Council Housebuilding Support Fund
- Less bureaucracy for councils who don't own much council housing to start building
www.gov.uk/government/n...
- Loans to landlords at just 0.1% interest
- £3.5m for the Council Housebuilding Support Fund
- Less bureaucracy for councils who don't own much council housing to start building
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Thousands more families to get warm, secure social homes
The government has unveiled a new social and affordable housing package today.
www.gov.uk
January 28, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Some really helpful announcements here for supporting the supply of new social housing:
- Loans to landlords at just 0.1% interest
- £3.5m for the Council Housebuilding Support Fund
- Less bureaucracy for councils who don't own much council housing to start building
www.gov.uk/government/n...
- Loans to landlords at just 0.1% interest
- £3.5m for the Council Housebuilding Support Fund
- Less bureaucracy for councils who don't own much council housing to start building
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Anna Clarke
We welcomed the Government’s Warm Homes Plan. Our members across the housing sector know how important it is to reduce energy bills, keep homes warm and reduce emissions from our housing stock.
Four key points from the Warm Homes Plan that the housing sector should be aware of:
Four key points from the Warm Homes Plan that the housing sector should be aware of:
January 22, 2026 at 2:21 PM
We welcomed the Government’s Warm Homes Plan. Our members across the housing sector know how important it is to reduce energy bills, keep homes warm and reduce emissions from our housing stock.
Four key points from the Warm Homes Plan that the housing sector should be aware of:
Four key points from the Warm Homes Plan that the housing sector should be aware of:
Excellent article here by @jamesriding.bsky.social summarising the main things to know from the new Warm Homes Plan
January 22, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Excellent article here by @jamesriding.bsky.social summarising the main things to know from the new Warm Homes Plan
Out of 20 people who "buy" a copy of the Big Issue from a street vendor, only one actually takes the magazine 😮
Tricky to see how they can reinvent a model reliant on printed media
Tricky to see how they can reinvent a model reliant on printed media
Big Issue will be doing our best to reinvent ourselves so that we can continue to support our vendors and be around for them in their need.
This is why Big Issue is ripe for reinvention
www.bigissue.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Out of 20 people who "buy" a copy of the Big Issue from a street vendor, only one actually takes the magazine 😮
Tricky to see how they can reinvent a model reliant on printed media
Tricky to see how they can reinvent a model reliant on printed media
This is kind of true - most of the costs will fall *directly* on landlords. Though they may then seek to recover the costs via higher rents, or tenants will be willing to pay more/forced to do so by a more competitive market (eg if some landlords exit)
For renters, the burden of upgrades will fall on landlords. The government is introducing new energy efficiency standards from 2030 - although there will be a cost cap of £10,000 for upgrades
January 21, 2026 at 7:29 PM
This is kind of true - most of the costs will fall *directly* on landlords. Though they may then seek to recover the costs via higher rents, or tenants will be willing to pay more/forced to do so by a more competitive market (eg if some landlords exit)
The Warms Home Plan has finally been published. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Warm Homes Plan
This plan sets out how we will cut energy bills and upgrade homes.
www.gov.uk
January 21, 2026 at 11:03 AM
The Warms Home Plan has finally been published. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Ed Miliband has said that solar panels will be required on new homes "from this year" - suggesting this will come in earlier than the other changes in the Future Homes Standard (we're expecting 1-2 year transition period for most of the changes)
January 21, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Ed Miliband has said that solar panels will be required on new homes "from this year" - suggesting this will come in earlier than the other changes in the Future Homes Standard (we're expecting 1-2 year transition period for most of the changes)
The Warm Homes Plan is (finally) out tomorrow. These look to be the main headlines, from the press release - alongside confirmation that the Government does not intend to set a deadline for phasing out gas boilers in existing homes.
The biggest new measures are:
- A £2bn government-backed loan scheme for green home upgrades, available to all households
- £5bn in government funding for low income households, with an all new scheme to replace ECO from 2027
- Higher energy efficiency standards for rented properties from 2030
- A £2bn government-backed loan scheme for green home upgrades, available to all households
- £5bn in government funding for low income households, with an all new scheme to replace ECO from 2027
- Higher energy efficiency standards for rented properties from 2030
January 20, 2026 at 10:59 PM
The Warm Homes Plan is (finally) out tomorrow. These look to be the main headlines, from the press release - alongside confirmation that the Government does not intend to set a deadline for phasing out gas boilers in existing homes.
Good illustration here of why Government is trying to remove powers from local planning committees. We should instead trust professional planning officers to determine applications, in line with local plans.
January 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Good illustration here of why Government is trying to remove powers from local planning committees. We should instead trust professional planning officers to determine applications, in line with local plans.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
every provocateur who wangs on all the time about Britain being “broken” should be sent to an actual failed state or autocracy for a month as a learning experience, there’s no shortage of them
January 17, 2026 at 3:12 PM
every provocateur who wangs on all the time about Britain being “broken” should be sent to an actual failed state or autocracy for a month as a learning experience, there’s no shortage of them
Interesting ideas here for supporting first time buyers with £12.5k cash in return for delaying their state pension by a year from @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social. We do need new ways to help people into the housing ladder. Would this work?
Would you take £12.5k now in exchange for pushing back your state pension by a year?
I'm currently exploring the idea of a Citizens Advance, which Andrew Lewin MP, its originator, makes the case for in a great blog piece for Best for Britain
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/would-you-...
(1/2)
I'm currently exploring the idea of a Citizens Advance, which Andrew Lewin MP, its originator, makes the case for in a great blog piece for Best for Britain
bestforbritain.substack.com/p/would-you-...
(1/2)
Would you delay your pension to get on the housing ladder?
By Andrew Lewin MP
bestforbritain.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Interesting ideas here for supporting first time buyers with £12.5k cash in return for delaying their state pension by a year from @andrewlewinmp.bsky.social. We do need new ways to help people into the housing ladder. Would this work?
This article doesn't tell you much, as the trial isn't finishing until 2027 - but I'll be really interested to see the final results. A proper randomised controlled trial - where 125 people with recent experience of homelessness were given £2,000 & support and another 125 just got support.
A new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you.
Homeless people were given free money, no strings attached. Here's what happened
www.bigissue.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This article doesn't tell you much, as the trial isn't finishing until 2027 - but I'll be really interested to see the final results. A proper randomised controlled trial - where 125 people with recent experience of homelessness were given £2,000 & support and another 125 just got support.
Anyone complaining about solar panels taking up space needed for growing food needs to look hard at this chart. Solar panels are *massively* more efficient than biofuels.
The world dedicates a Poland-sized area of land to producing liquid biofuels such as bioethanol & biodiesel. Is there a more efficient way to generate energy?
Putting solar panels on the land used for biofuels, e.g., would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks worldwide to go electric.
Putting solar panels on the land used for biofuels, e.g., would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks worldwide to go electric.
January 13, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Anyone complaining about solar panels taking up space needed for growing food needs to look hard at this chart. Solar panels are *massively* more efficient than biofuels.
I seem to have a large number of new followers overnight - a new exodus from X?
January 10, 2026 at 8:22 AM
I seem to have a large number of new followers overnight - a new exodus from X?