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/
Renters’ Rights Act to come into effect from May - ending S21 evictions.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Renters’ Rights Act: No-fault evictions banned from May 2026
The government confirms timeline for reforms to England’s rental market, including ending bidding wars.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Renters’ Rights Act to come into effect from May - ending S21 evictions.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Couldn't agree more with Crisis here that "the solution to homelessness is housing". But acquiring housing that already exists doesn't create more homes. It just changes the landlord.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Couldn't agree more with Crisis here that "the solution to homelessness is housing". But acquiring housing that already exists doesn't create more homes. It just changes the landlord.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
The GLA allocates is own share of the grant for London. And announced today, six northern mayors will also £7bn between them to allocate. (Greater Manchester, West Midlands, North East, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire)
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The GLA allocates is own share of the grant for London. And announced today, six northern mayors will also £7bn between them to allocate. (Greater Manchester, West Midlands, North East, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire)
Reposted by Anna Clarke
UK brick deliveries are a useful proxy for new house building starts in the absence of monthly house building starts data & the latest data from the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) covers September 2025. (1/n)
#ukhousing #ukconstruction
#ukhousing #ukconstruction
November 5, 2025 at 9:41 AM
UK brick deliveries are a useful proxy for new house building starts in the absence of monthly house building starts data & the latest data from the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) covers September 2025. (1/n)
#ukhousing #ukconstruction
#ukhousing #ukconstruction
What are people's thoughts on this paper setting out a case for government grant on hybrid heat pumps? They're saying the heat pump can do 94% of the heat, but the gas backup helps in very cold weather.
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
November 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
What are people's thoughts on this paper setting out a case for government grant on hybrid heat pumps? They're saying the heat pump can do 94% of the heat, but the gas backup helps in very cold weather.
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/img/PR/hybri...
The figures here look quite compelling:
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Niche blog post #1: what stamp duty statistics say about how many home purchases are for "additional" dwellings rather than primary homes jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/a...
Additional property purchases and ‘surplus’ housing
The Green Alliance recently hosted a webinar on whether it’s possible to build to build 1.5 million homes (the UK government target for this parliament) without accelerating the climate crisi…
jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Niche blog post #1: what stamp duty statistics say about how many home purchases are for "additional" dwellings rather than primary homes jamesjgleeson.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/a...
The Government's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was published yesterday. Confirms for the first time that the Future Homes Standard has been delayed - it was initially due to start in 2025, but still isn't published, and seems rollout is now from 2027. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The Government's Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was published yesterday. Confirms for the first time that the Future Homes Standard has been delayed - it was initially due to start in 2025, but still isn't published, and seems rollout is now from 2027. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0...
British people welcomed Ukrainians into their homes, just 3 years ago.
October 28, 2025 at 10:25 PM
British people welcomed Ukrainians into their homes, just 3 years ago.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
So the Renters Rights Bill has finally passed. S21 evictions will soon be no more. A few reflections on the long road to get to this point 🧵
October 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
So the Renters Rights Bill has finally passed. S21 evictions will soon be no more. A few reflections on the long road to get to this point 🧵
Fascinating chart here - that runs very much counter to the rhetoric we keep hearing about tax being too high - we actually tax the average earner quite a lot less than most comparable countries, in the UK.
In 2024, the UK had the lowest taxes on an average employee of any G7 country.
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
UK taxes for lower earners were also the lowest in the G7.
But the UK's position might change in 2025.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/4ppe7Q8
October 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Fascinating chart here - that runs very much counter to the rhetoric we keep hearing about tax being too high - we actually tax the average earner quite a lot less than most comparable countries, in the UK.
Steve Reed on Radio 4 this morning is proposing that modular housing can be built on former military bases as an alternative to housing asylum seekers in hotels.
Modular homes are built off-site in factories so can indeed be built quite quickly if you drive them through planning.
Modular homes are built off-site in factories so can indeed be built quite quickly if you drive them through planning.
October 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Steve Reed on Radio 4 this morning is proposing that modular housing can be built on former military bases as an alternative to housing asylum seekers in hotels.
Modular homes are built off-site in factories so can indeed be built quite quickly if you drive them through planning.
Modular homes are built off-site in factories so can indeed be built quite quickly if you drive them through planning.
The problem with buying back properties to fix "the social housing crisis" is that it isn't *just* a social housing crisis.
You're taking away useful first time buyer homes to make social homes, so it's a bit of a zero sum game. Really need to build more homes.
You're taking away useful first time buyer homes to make social homes, so it's a bit of a zero sum game. Really need to build more homes.
“Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis
The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords.”
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Right to buy in reverse: how Brighton is tackling its social housing crisis | Richard Partington
The council is rolling back Thatcher’s flagship policy by buying stock from private landlords. Other local authorities should take note
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
The problem with buying back properties to fix "the social housing crisis" is that it isn't *just* a social housing crisis.
You're taking away useful first time buyer homes to make social homes, so it's a bit of a zero sum game. Really need to build more homes.
You're taking away useful first time buyer homes to make social homes, so it's a bit of a zero sum game. Really need to build more homes.
Not sure I agree with this - changes to property taxation need to be thought through, but his suggestion of publicly announcing a 12 month review into it would likely grind the housing market to a halt while everyone waits to see what will happen. www.thetimes.com/article/e895...
Mansion tax idea is incoherent, ex-Bank governor tells Reeves
Lord King says ‘fag-packet’ tax proposals before the budget do not address long-term economic problems
www.thetimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Not sure I agree with this - changes to property taxation need to be thought through, but his suggestion of publicly announcing a 12 month review into it would likely grind the housing market to a halt while everyone waits to see what will happen. www.thetimes.com/article/e895...
That would require him to be in parliament to ask it wouldn't it?
It turns out Farage hasn't put his name forward to ask a question for months
Nigel Farage’s ‘PMQs strike’ ridiculed as records show he hasn’t asked for extra question in months
It turns out Farage hasn't put his name forward to ask a question for months
leftfootforward.org
October 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
That would require him to be in parliament to ask it wouldn't it?
Reposted by Anna Clarke
The other big takeaway from Caerphilly is that despite a brief resuscitation in 2017 the two party system is well and truly over for the UK. And that means either we bite the bullet on PR or the parties are all going to have to make deals to not split the left or right vote
October 24, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The other big takeaway from Caerphilly is that despite a brief resuscitation in 2017 the two party system is well and truly over for the UK. And that means either we bite the bullet on PR or the parties are all going to have to make deals to not split the left or right vote
Quite a range of measures here to try to get housebuilding going again in London.
The government have just published this "package of support for housebuilding in the Capital."
October 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Quite a range of measures here to try to get housebuilding going again in London.
So the Renters Rights Bill has finally passed. S21 evictions will soon be no more. A few reflections on the long road to get to this point 🧵
October 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
So the Renters Rights Bill has finally passed. S21 evictions will soon be no more. A few reflections on the long road to get to this point 🧵
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Rents have increased by a fifth in recent years since Local Housing Housing allowance was frozen, up £210 a month!!
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
October 22, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Rents have increased by a fifth in recent years since Local Housing Housing allowance was frozen, up £210 a month!!
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
The strain of this freeze on private renters is immense; in April around 40% of private renters in receipt of LHA said they didn't have enough to cover rent.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Yesterday's panorama was an excellent overview of the challenges in building 1.5m homes - skills, planning, and nutrient neutrality problems were all well explained. It's a great watch for anyone wanting to understand what makes it hard to get new homes built.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Panorama - The Race to Build 1.5 Million Homes
The government’s made a very big promise: to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029. Anita Rani and Justin Rowlatt travel the length of the country to find out if it can be done.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Yesterday's panorama was an excellent overview of the challenges in building 1.5m homes - skills, planning, and nutrient neutrality problems were all well explained. It's a great watch for anyone wanting to understand what makes it hard to get new homes built.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Who says social housing can't be beautiful?
RIBA Stirling Prize 2025: London Social Housing Project Is The Best New Building in Britain for 2025 www.timeout.com/london/news/...
This London social housing project has been crowned the best new building in Britain for 2025
It was designed to combat loneliness among older people
share.google
October 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Who says social housing can't be beautiful?
Reposted by Anna Clarke
The shortlist for Building Awards' Best Housing Project has been published - in partnership with The Housing Forum.
Creative design, clever use of challenging infill sites and impressive eco credentials - do take a look for inspiration on what can be achieved. www.building.co.uk/building-awa...
Creative design, clever use of challenging infill sites and impressive eco credentials - do take a look for inspiration on what can be achieved. www.building.co.uk/building-awa...
Building Awards 2025 shortlists: Housing Project of the Year
In a series celebrating the Building Awards finalists, we look at the shortlist for Housing Project of the Year, in partnership with The Housing Forum
www.building.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The shortlist for Building Awards' Best Housing Project has been published - in partnership with The Housing Forum.
Creative design, clever use of challenging infill sites and impressive eco credentials - do take a look for inspiration on what can be achieved. www.building.co.uk/building-awa...
Creative design, clever use of challenging infill sites and impressive eco credentials - do take a look for inspiration on what can be achieved. www.building.co.uk/building-awa...
I always find it a bit weird when councils insist that communities have to be "balanced". Don't students quite like living with other students? And other residents don't always like living next door to them - so why not put the students all in big blocks together?
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I always find it a bit weird when councils insist that communities have to be "balanced". Don't students quite like living with other students? And other residents don't always like living next door to them - so why not put the students all in big blocks together?
Every time we see further increases in people living in temporary accommodation I feel it should be pointed out that the big reason is that Local Housing Allowance is capped based on 2023 rents. Rents are rising, so private renting is increasing out of range for families in particular.
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Every time we see further increases in people living in temporary accommodation I feel it should be pointed out that the big reason is that Local Housing Allowance is capped based on 2023 rents. Rents are rising, so private renting is increasing out of range for families in particular.
Reposted by Anna Clarke
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
October 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Homelessness stats just out show another new record in households (132k) and children (172k) living in temporary accommodation. Up 7.5% in last year
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Looks like the Renters Reform Bill should be passed very soon.
My sincere thanks to Peers for completing their scrutiny of the Renters’ Rights Bill yesterday.
With no Lords amendments coming back to the Commons, the Bill will soon receive Royal Assent allowing us to transform the experience of private renting for millions of tenants.
With no Lords amendments coming back to the Commons, the Bill will soon receive Royal Assent allowing us to transform the experience of private renting for millions of tenants.
October 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Looks like the Renters Reform Bill should be passed very soon.