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Rayner Out, Reed In – Housing Secretary Shake-Up

Articles by: Rachel Appleby

Following a high-profile resignation by Angela Rayner over a tax issue, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer moved swiftly to appoint Steve Reed as the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Reed, who previously served as Environment Secretary, inherits Rayner’s housing brief at a critical juncture. He has launched his tenure with a promise to “get Britain building” so that “everyone has access to affordable, safe homes and thriving communities”.

September 8, 2025

Rayner Out, Reed In – Housing Secretary Shake-Up

Following a high-profile resignation by Angela Rayner over a tax issue, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer moved swiftly to appoint Steve Reed as the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Reed, who previously served as Environment Secretary, inherits Rayner’s housing brief at a critical juncture. He has launched his tenure with a promise to “get Britain building” so that “everyone has access to affordable, safe homes and thriving communities”.
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August 13, 2025

BREEAM New Construction v7 – What You Need to Know

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is preparing to launch BREEAM New Construction v7 in Summer 2025 — the most significant update in recent years. The changes strengthen the focus on whole-life carbon, resilience and operational performance, while better aligning with international sustainability frameworks.
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July 23, 2025

What the Cunliffe Review Means for Development

On 21 July 2025, the Government’s Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, published a landmark report proposing sweeping reforms to the UK’s water sector. With 88 recommendations spanning regulation, infrastructure planning, water quality, and environmental performance, the Cunliffe Review sets the stage for a transformation in how water is managed and governed across England and Wales.
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June 12, 2025

Spending Review 2025: A Step-Change Moment

The 11th June 2025 Spending Review marked a profound shift in the government’s approach to housing, planning, and infrastructure — placing long-term affordability, delivery certainty, and strategic investment at the centre of economic policy.
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June 4, 2025

Need for Speed – Planning Reform Latest

The Government’s Planning Reform Working Paper proposes a series of bold measures to accelerate housing delivery, including stronger local authority powers, penalties for delayed build outs, and new transparency requirements for developers.
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