Alex Toal
@alextoal.bsky.social
Editor, Red Brick blog | Send pitches to RedBrick@labourhousing.org!
How do we define success in housing?
Some reflections on LHG's policy day, this week's planning announcements, and how we ensure that Labour's housing successes turn into human outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/housinga...
Some reflections on LHG's policy day, this week's planning announcements, and how we ensure that Labour's housing successes turn into human outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/housinga...
How do we define success in housing?
How do we turn the physical outputs of our housing solutions into human outcomes?
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:44 AM
How do we define success in housing?
Some reflections on LHG's policy day, this week's planning announcements, and how we ensure that Labour's housing successes turn into human outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/housinga...
Some reflections on LHG's policy day, this week's planning announcements, and how we ensure that Labour's housing successes turn into human outcomes.
open.substack.com/pub/housinga...
So I decided to start a Substack!
Working in housing and politics, I am lucky to listen in on fascinating conversations and events, which I wanted to write up and think about more.
Starting off on Steve Reed at the Select Committee and LHA rates:
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
Working in housing and politics, I am lucky to listen in on fascinating conversations and events, which I wanted to write up and think about more.
Starting off on Steve Reed at the Select Committee and LHA rates:
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
November 15, 2025 at 10:20 AM
So I decided to start a Substack!
Working in housing and politics, I am lucky to listen in on fascinating conversations and events, which I wanted to write up and think about more.
Starting off on Steve Reed at the Select Committee and LHA rates:
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
Working in housing and politics, I am lucky to listen in on fascinating conversations and events, which I wanted to write up and think about more.
Starting off on Steve Reed at the Select Committee and LHA rates:
housingalex.substack.com/p/on-lha-gen...
So proud of the whole @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social team for making Labour Conference’s first-ever Housing Zone a huge success.
Our 18 events across 3 days covered the breadth and depth of the housing crisis, now it’s time to take their energy and ideas and put them into action.
Our 18 events across 3 days covered the breadth and depth of the housing crisis, now it’s time to take their energy and ideas and put them into action.
October 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
So proud of the whole @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social team for making Labour Conference’s first-ever Housing Zone a huge success.
Our 18 events across 3 days covered the breadth and depth of the housing crisis, now it’s time to take their energy and ideas and put them into action.
Our 18 events across 3 days covered the breadth and depth of the housing crisis, now it’s time to take their energy and ideas and put them into action.
Reposted by Alex Toal
Others have noted that this means foreign-born people are LESS likely than UK-born people to be in prison. What I want to note is that The Times is now referring to foreign-born UK citizens as ‘foreigners’. This includes Boris Johnson, Sir Mo Farah, Emma Watson, Rory Stewart and little old me.
August 1, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Others have noted that this means foreign-born people are LESS likely than UK-born people to be in prison. What I want to note is that The Times is now referring to foreign-born UK citizens as ‘foreigners’. This includes Boris Johnson, Sir Mo Farah, Emma Watson, Rory Stewart and little old me.
The Housing Theory of Everything strikes again:
“English-speaking governments, policymakers and societies have raised a generation to play the home ownership game. They have then not so much ripped up the rule book as confiscated the board and all the pieces without explanation”
on.ft.com/44PJSJg
“English-speaking governments, policymakers and societies have raised a generation to play the home ownership game. They have then not so much ripped up the rule book as confiscated the board and all the pieces without explanation”
on.ft.com/44PJSJg
Why are young adults in the English-speaking world so unhappy?
Society sold the dream of home ownership — then cruelly snatched it away
on.ft.com
July 26, 2025 at 5:38 AM
The Housing Theory of Everything strikes again:
“English-speaking governments, policymakers and societies have raised a generation to play the home ownership game. They have then not so much ripped up the rule book as confiscated the board and all the pieces without explanation”
on.ft.com/44PJSJg
“English-speaking governments, policymakers and societies have raised a generation to play the home ownership game. They have then not so much ripped up the rule book as confiscated the board and all the pieces without explanation”
on.ft.com/44PJSJg
Since the election Labour has got to grips with the housing crisis, going above and beyond to lay the groundwork to build 1.5 million homes, deliver a generational boost in social housing, and fix flawed tenures.
More on their wins from me at
@redbrickblog.bsky.social 👇
More on their wins from me at
@redbrickblog.bsky.social 👇
NEW | ‘So what has Labour done differently?' – 50 housing wins from Labour’s first year in power
With bold steps in housing delivery, fixing flawed tenures, building safety and quality, Labour’s first year in office has marked a step change in housing.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/07/so-w...
With bold steps in housing delivery, fixing flawed tenures, building safety and quality, Labour’s first year in office has marked a step change in housing.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/07/so-w...
‘So what has Labour done differently?’ - 50 housing wins from Labour's first year in power - Red Brick
From planning for 1.5 million homes to a generational boost in social housing, improving building safety and fixing flawed tenures, Labour's first year in office has marked a step change in addressing...
redbrickblog.co.uk
July 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Since the election Labour has got to grips with the housing crisis, going above and beyond to lay the groundwork to build 1.5 million homes, deliver a generational boost in social housing, and fix flawed tenures.
More on their wins from me at
@redbrickblog.bsky.social 👇
More on their wins from me at
@redbrickblog.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Alex Toal
Thanks to @alextoal.bsky.social for organising the first book club meeting of @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
A thumbs up for the first book!
A thumbs up for the first book!
June 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Thanks to @alextoal.bsky.social for organising the first book club meeting of @labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
A thumbs up for the first book!
A thumbs up for the first book!
Excited to debut our 'Class of 2024' series ahead of the anniversary of the election next week, with new Labour MPs looking back at the Government's housing achievements over the past year.
Be sure to check out our first piece from Shaun Davies on New Towns:
Be sure to check out our first piece from Shaun Davies on New Towns:
NEW | New Towns are a Labour success story – now these young towns need Labour again
@shaundaviesmp.bsky.social, looks back at Labour’s achievements with New Towns and sets out their potential under this Government.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/06/shau...
@shaundaviesmp.bsky.social, looks back at Labour’s achievements with New Towns and sets out their potential under this Government.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/06/shau...
New Towns are a Labour success story – now these young towns need Labour again - Red Brick
Shaun Davies, Member of Parliament for Telford, and Co-Chair of the New Towns Network, looks back at Labour's achievements with New Towns and sets out their potential under this Government.
redbrickblog.co.uk
June 25, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Excited to debut our 'Class of 2024' series ahead of the anniversary of the election next week, with new Labour MPs looking back at the Government's housing achievements over the past year.
Be sure to check out our first piece from Shaun Davies on New Towns:
Be sure to check out our first piece from Shaun Davies on New Towns:
Reposted by Alex Toal
Another chart, just for London.
Repurposing all empty homes - including those we technically can't - get London to <1/2 of its 10-year housebuilding target.
But doing so disregards the places where new homes are needed and the useful role empty homes have.
www.centreforcities.org/blog/there-a...
Repurposing all empty homes - including those we technically can't - get London to <1/2 of its 10-year housebuilding target.
But doing so disregards the places where new homes are needed and the useful role empty homes have.
www.centreforcities.org/blog/there-a...
May 23, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Another chart, just for London.
Repurposing all empty homes - including those we technically can't - get London to <1/2 of its 10-year housebuilding target.
But doing so disregards the places where new homes are needed and the useful role empty homes have.
www.centreforcities.org/blog/there-a...
Repurposing all empty homes - including those we technically can't - get London to <1/2 of its 10-year housebuilding target.
But doing so disregards the places where new homes are needed and the useful role empty homes have.
www.centreforcities.org/blog/there-a...
I mean I also think that we’re also a nation of having-somewhere-to-live-lovers and that we need new homes, pylons and railways to counter the climate crisis.
Given that we’re a nation of nature lovers, whose conservation charities are among the world's biggest membership organisations, Keir Starmer’s repeated attacks on voters who want to protect the living planet, calling us “time-wasting nimbys”, “blockers” and “zealots”, is frankly idiotic.
May 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I mean I also think that we’re also a nation of having-somewhere-to-live-lovers and that we need new homes, pylons and railways to counter the climate crisis.
Reposted by Alex Toal
People want change, and conveniently Labour is in power with a massive majority and able to deliver it. I've written about why the party needs to concentrate on carrying out its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
'We know people want change. Labour needs to make it' - LabourList
Labour is in power nationally, and unlike other parties can deliver change nationally, writes Morgan Jones.
labourlist.org
May 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM
People want change, and conveniently Labour is in power with a massive majority and able to deliver it. I've written about why the party needs to concentrate on carrying out its agenda:
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
labourlist.org/2025/05/jone...
Not to ruin your day but I just looked up “rizz” in Hansard and the single result it returns from the 21st century so much worse than you could imagine.
March 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Not to ruin your day but I just looked up “rizz” in Hansard and the single result it returns from the 21st century so much worse than you could imagine.
Reposted by Alex Toal
The Housing Forum is very pleased to see today's announcement of £2bn additional funding for affordable housing this parliament. www.gov.uk/government/n...
£2 billion new investment to support biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation
Hard working families to get safe and secure homes as Chancellor announces £2 billion injection of new grant funding to deliver up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes.
www.gov.uk
March 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM
The Housing Forum is very pleased to see today's announcement of £2bn additional funding for affordable housing this parliament. www.gov.uk/government/n...
One for housing nerds, the Government has just published their timber in construction roadmap.
A clear area of improvement for the UK’s built environment, which uses a lot less timber than comparable countries:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A clear area of improvement for the UK’s built environment, which uses a lot less timber than comparable countries:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Timber in construction roadmap 2025
www.gov.uk
February 28, 2025 at 9:43 AM
One for housing nerds, the Government has just published their timber in construction roadmap.
A clear area of improvement for the UK’s built environment, which uses a lot less timber than comparable countries:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A clear area of improvement for the UK’s built environment, which uses a lot less timber than comparable countries:
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Alex Toal
For too long, residents have endured noisy, disruptive pedicabs.
TfL is consulting on cracking down on this issue under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024—let’s ensure amplified noise is banned for good.
Join me in calling for TfL to stop the noise.
www.rachelblake.org.uk/stopthenoise
TfL is consulting on cracking down on this issue under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024—let’s ensure amplified noise is banned for good.
Join me in calling for TfL to stop the noise.
www.rachelblake.org.uk/stopthenoise
February 13, 2025 at 2:28 PM
For too long, residents have endured noisy, disruptive pedicabs.
TfL is consulting on cracking down on this issue under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024—let’s ensure amplified noise is banned for good.
Join me in calling for TfL to stop the noise.
www.rachelblake.org.uk/stopthenoise
TfL is consulting on cracking down on this issue under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024—let’s ensure amplified noise is banned for good.
Join me in calling for TfL to stop the noise.
www.rachelblake.org.uk/stopthenoise
This is pretty big - research from @centreforcities.bsky.social has showed that there is land for 2m new homes around stations in the green belt alone: www.centreforcities.org/press/centre...
January 26, 2025 at 7:54 AM
This is pretty big - research from @centreforcities.bsky.social has showed that there is land for 2m new homes around stations in the green belt alone: www.centreforcities.org/press/centre...
Reposted by Alex Toal
Public investment in social housing will be crucial over the coming Parliament to reverse decades of chronic under-investment.
Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/4jdDb8W
Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/4jdDb8W
January 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Public investment in social housing will be crucial over the coming Parliament to reverse decades of chronic under-investment.
Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/4jdDb8W
Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/4jdDb8W
A provoking title from Andy and a great point underlying it.
Streeting has frequently referred to himself as the “patient-in-chief” when discussing NHS reform, and work is needed to ensure that social tenants are empowered and treated with greater respect.
Streeting has frequently referred to himself as the “patient-in-chief” when discussing NHS reform, and work is needed to ensure that social tenants are empowered and treated with greater respect.
NEW | Social housing needs the Streeting treatment
Andy Bates looks into the need to focus social housing to empower and put tenants first in the model of Wes Streeting’s NHS reforms, drawing from one of Streeting’s heroes Tony Crosland.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/soci...
Andy Bates looks into the need to focus social housing to empower and put tenants first in the model of Wes Streeting’s NHS reforms, drawing from one of Streeting’s heroes Tony Crosland.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/soci...
Social housing needs the Streeting treatment - Red Brick
Andy Bates looks into the need to focus social housing to empower and put tenants first in the model of Wes Streeting's NHS reforms, drawing from one of Streeting's heroes Tony Crosland.
redbrickblog.co.uk
January 17, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A provoking title from Andy and a great point underlying it.
Streeting has frequently referred to himself as the “patient-in-chief” when discussing NHS reform, and work is needed to ensure that social tenants are empowered and treated with greater respect.
Streeting has frequently referred to himself as the “patient-in-chief” when discussing NHS reform, and work is needed to ensure that social tenants are empowered and treated with greater respect.
Reposted by Alex Toal
NEW | Will the Renters’ Rights Bill transform the Private Rented Sector?
Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s 3rd Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the new PRS database.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/rent...
Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s 3rd Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the new PRS database.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/rent...
Will the Renters’ Rights Bill transform the Private Rented Sector? - Red Brick
Ahead of the Renters' Rights Bill's Third Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the database established by the Bill.
redbrickblog.co.uk
January 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
NEW | Will the Renters’ Rights Bill transform the Private Rented Sector?
Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s 3rd Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the new PRS database.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/rent...
Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Bill’s 3rd Reading on 14th January, Jacky Peacock lays out the changes it will introduce and the need for firm enforcement through the new PRS database.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/01/rent...
Going through IPPR’s new report on improving turnout and spotted this table, a version of which every piece of similar research should have
January 2, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Going through IPPR’s new report on improving turnout and spotted this table, a version of which every piece of similar research should have
Today's extra £1bn for addressing homelessness is truly welcome.
Previously, Matt Downie from Crisis laid out a road map in Red Brick for how the Government could end homelessness for good:
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/this...
Previously, Matt Downie from Crisis laid out a road map in Red Brick for how the Government could end homelessness for good:
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/this...
This World Homelessness Day let’s raise our ambitions - Red Brick
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, lays out a 5-point plan to meaningfully tackle homelessness, from a focus on outcomes to prioritising prevention.
redbrickblog.co.uk
December 18, 2024 at 11:11 AM
Today's extra £1bn for addressing homelessness is truly welcome.
Previously, Matt Downie from Crisis laid out a road map in Red Brick for how the Government could end homelessness for good:
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/this...
Previously, Matt Downie from Crisis laid out a road map in Red Brick for how the Government could end homelessness for good:
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/10/this...
While Kemi Badenoch has intentionally run a policy-lite leadership so far, we actually know a fair bit about her housing stances, particularly from her time as Shadow Housing Minister.
What does this say and why is it worrying? 🧵
What does this say and why is it worrying? 🧵
NEW BLOG | Kemi Badenoch’s shift right bodes ill for housing
Badenoch's leadership already shows a worrying drift to the right for housing delivery, renters' rights and migration, with little to offer for those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/12/kemi...
Badenoch's leadership already shows a worrying drift to the right for housing delivery, renters' rights and migration, with little to offer for those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/12/kemi...
Kemi Badenoch’s shift right bodes ill for housing - Red Brick
Since the election, Badenoch has already shifted the Conservatives right on renters’ rights, housing delivery and migration, returning to the party to its days of more divisive rhetoric.
redbrickblog.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 10:11 AM
While Kemi Badenoch has intentionally run a policy-lite leadership so far, we actually know a fair bit about her housing stances, particularly from her time as Shadow Housing Minister.
What does this say and why is it worrying? 🧵
What does this say and why is it worrying? 🧵
Another housing win for Labour, fixing the nutrient neutrality issues by creating a nature restoration fund paid into by developers in areas of high nutrient pollution.
Labour promised a win-win for housing and nature and is delivering in government.
www.thetimes.com/article/37ea...
Labour promised a win-win for housing and nature and is delivering in government.
www.thetimes.com/article/37ea...
The Tories pitted housing against nature. Labour will help both
Steve Reed, environment secretary, and Angela Rayner, deputy prime minister, promise new bill will develop 1.5m new properties and help wildlife thrive
www.thetimes.com
December 15, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Another housing win for Labour, fixing the nutrient neutrality issues by creating a nature restoration fund paid into by developers in areas of high nutrient pollution.
Labour promised a win-win for housing and nature and is delivering in government.
www.thetimes.com/article/37ea...
Labour promised a win-win for housing and nature and is delivering in government.
www.thetimes.com/article/37ea...
So, at some point we need to start talking about the Greens and housing.
Lots of Labour folk online like to talk about Green councillors blocking developments, or wading into debates about rent controls.
But what is the Greens' housing vision, and why should it worry us? 🧵
Lots of Labour folk online like to talk about Green councillors blocking developments, or wading into debates about rent controls.
But what is the Greens' housing vision, and why should it worry us? 🧵
NEW ARTICLE | Green populism will not solve the housing crisis
With the Greens' electoral strength growing, Red Brick editor @alextoal.bsky.social writes that their housing platform only attempts to find the housing crisis’ villains rather than its solutions.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/12/gree...
With the Greens' electoral strength growing, Red Brick editor @alextoal.bsky.social writes that their housing platform only attempts to find the housing crisis’ villains rather than its solutions.
redbrickblog.co.uk/2024/12/gree...
Green populism will not solve the housing crisis - Red Brick
The Greens' housing platform represents a divisive attempt to find the housing crisis' villains rather than its solutions.
redbrickblog.co.uk
December 6, 2024 at 9:58 AM
So, at some point we need to start talking about the Greens and housing.
Lots of Labour folk online like to talk about Green councillors blocking developments, or wading into debates about rent controls.
But what is the Greens' housing vision, and why should it worry us? 🧵
Lots of Labour folk online like to talk about Green councillors blocking developments, or wading into debates about rent controls.
But what is the Greens' housing vision, and why should it worry us? 🧵
Some people in the new place may not know, but Red Brick has a newsletter covering the latest in housing news, events and research.
You can sign up here for free to stau up-to-date with all the latest housing news! redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/
You can sign up here for free to stau up-to-date with all the latest housing news! redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/
Housing Wrapped is back! Our summary of the month's news, research and events is revamped as a monthly summary.
Sign up for free below:
redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/
Sign up for free below:
redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/
December 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM
Some people in the new place may not know, but Red Brick has a newsletter covering the latest in housing news, events and research.
You can sign up here for free to stau up-to-date with all the latest housing news! redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/
You can sign up here for free to stau up-to-date with all the latest housing news! redbrickblog.co.uk/subscribe/