BBC tracker reveals some councils face a 400% surge in housing targets

To meet the UK government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes in England over the next five years, some local councils would need to increase their housing output by five times or more, according to BBC Verify analysis. The ambitious goal, set by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government, equates to constructing 300,000 homes annually—a level not achieved since the 1970s.

The BBC have created an interactive tool developed by Allison Shultes, Scott Jarvis and Steven Connor, that accepts a full postcode or council name to find out how many homes that area has been adding. The UK government’s target for 1.5 million homes is for England only. It does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, where housing is a devolved matter.

The task is particularly daunting for 16 local authorities, where annual housing targets are at least 400% higher than their recent averages. The most extreme example is Kensington and Chelsea in London, tasked with delivering 5,107 new homes per year despite only averaging 236 annually between 2021 and 2024. Other councils, such as Portsmouth and Sevenoaks, face targets five to nine times higher than their recent outputs.

Local leaders have raised concerns about the feasibility of these targets. Kensington and Chelsea Council leader Elizabeth Campbell described the figures as “out of touch,” citing the borough’s dense urban environment and limited land availability. Similarly, Portsmouth’s housing cabinet member, Darren Sanders, pointed to geographic constraints and rising construction costs as significant obstacles, despite the council approving over 4,000 new homes in 2023-24.

While some councils criticize the targets, Labour has emphasized the importance of achieving them. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook warned that the government could intervene if councils fail to meet their obligations. “We are absolutely willing to take over local plans if there’s evidence of non-compliance,” he stated.

Obstacles to Meeting the Targets

Beyond local challenges, broader issues threaten progress toward the 1.5 million homes goal. The construction industry faces a severe shortage of skilled workers, exacerbated by an aging workforce and the impact of Brexit. The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that the sector needs an additional 50,300 workers annually to meet demand.

Material shortages also pose a problem. Essential resources such as bricks and timber remain in limited supply, with the Construction Leadership Council warning that these constraints could hinder progress.

Private housebuilders, responsible for much of England’s housing supply, may also struggle to meet targets. They often limit construction to maintain house prices, as noted by the Competition and Markets Authority in 2024. A sharp decline in planning applications by private builders in the year to June 2024, driven by high mortgage rates and unaffordable house prices, further underscores these challenges.

The Need for Affordable Housing

Many experts argue that meeting the government’s housing targets will require a significant increase in funding for social and affordable housing. This would involve substantial grants to local housing associations, enabling them to build tens of thousands of homes for rent.

The government has promised a “major planning overhaul” to remove barriers to building and ensure homes are constructed where they are needed most. However, with councils voicing concerns and systemic issues persisting, the road to 1.5 million homes remains fraught with difficulty.

Achieving this milestone will demand coordinated efforts across government, local authorities, and the private sector, alongside investments in skills, materials, and affordable housing.