Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Angela Rayner has once again shown her determination to tackle the housing crisis in the UK. On Tuesday, she hit back at Reform UK MP Lee Anderson with a strong and confident response, proving that she is more than capable of handling any challenges thrown her way.
In the House of Commons, Rayner announced the creation of a new towns task force to reform the UK’s housing planning system. This task force will work towards an annual target of 370,000 homes for local authorities, as part of Labour’s plan to tackle the housing crisis. This is a bold and ambitious move, but one that is necessary to address the pressing issue of housing in the UK.
However, Anderson seemed to have a different agenda when he asked Rayner for more details about the plan. In what appeared to be a sly dig, he said, “I welcome the news of a council house revolution. And we all know the deputy prime minister is a little bit of an expert when it comes to council housing. But, can she confirm that the priority will be given to British families, veterans and pensioners?”
Rayner, who has spoken openly about growing up on a council estate, did not let this quip slide. She responded with grace and poise, stating, “Well, we have confirmed that people with a local connection will get priority in those homes. But I also say to the honourable gentleman who tries to make a quip about the fact that I grew up in a council house…”
She then paused before continuing, “The situation that I hear and when I took on this brief is that actually people used to talk about my childhood as if I grew up in poverty. But many kids today, if they got a council house it would be considered they’d won the lottery. Those children today can’t have that. So we will build the homes, we will prioritise people locally who can get them.”
Rayner’s response was not only a strong defense of her background, but also a reminder of the stark reality facing many families in the UK today. She highlighted the fact that for many, getting a council house is seen as a luxury, when in fact it should be a basic necessity. This is a powerful message that resonates with the struggles of many families across the country.
It is worth noting that Rayner has faced scrutiny in the past over the sale of her council house, which happened before she became an MP. However, she was later found to have not committed any criminal offense. Despite this, she continues to face criticism and snide remarks from her opponents. But as she has shown time and time again, she is not one to back down from a challenge.
In her response to Anderson, Rayner also made it clear that the government’s priority is not just to build homes, but to ensure that they are accessible to those who need them the most. She stated that first-time buyers will also be given “first dibs” on these homes, and that measures will be put in place to ensure that they are not just for the wealthy or well-connected.
Anderson later shared a clip of their exchange on social media, with the caption, “Council house revolution.” This only serves to highlight the stark contrast between the two parties’ approaches to the housing crisis. While Labour is taking bold and decisive action, the Reform UK party seems content with making snide remarks and offering no real solutions.
The creation of the new towns task force is just one of the many steps that the government is taking to address the housing crisis. But it is a significant one that shows their commitment to making real and lasting changes. With an annual target of 370,000 homes for local authorities, it is clear that they are not shying away from the scale of the problem.
Rayner’s response to Anderson’s quip was not just a defense of her background, but also a reminder of the government’s responsibility to provide affordable and accessible housing for all. She stated that “the homes that are built are there for the people that need it.” This is a message that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our political affiliations.
In a time when the housing crisis seems to be getting worse, it is reassuring to see a government taking decisive action to address it. The new towns task force is just one step towards a brighter future for the UK, where everyone has a safe and
