rki.news | Source: Xinhua
British Labour Member of Parliament Andy Burnham has pledged to launch the largest council house building programme since the post-war era, in a speech highlighting the severity of the UK housing crisis.
Burnham said the ongoing shortage of affordable housing is placing significant strain on public finances and requires urgent long-term intervention. He proposed using vacant public land to reduce development costs and accelerate construction.
He also outlined wider economic reforms, including changes to business rates aimed at supporting high street businesses and revitalising local economies. In addition, he promised a fairer approach to welfare spending designed to reduce costs while helping people return to work and improve financial stability.
Burnham, who recently won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on June 19, was sworn in as a Labour MP shortly afterwards. He is widely seen as a leading figure within the Labour Party and a potential future successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The proposals form part of his broader agenda focused on housing reform, economic renewal and public service restructuring in the United Kingdom.