Social and Affordable Homes Programme to 2036
Following the Government’s announcement of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme covered by an earlier update here, the Government has issued a letter to Councils.
It includes details of what is expected from local authorities but it withdraws the new low-interest loans scheme from Councils.
The Minister, Mathew Pennycook MP wrote “I appreciate fully that this news will come as a disappointment. However, having carefully considered the fiscal implications of extending the scheme to councils as well as to registered providers, we reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that it [more…]
Land Value Capture
The HCLG Committee announced here their Land Value Capture (LVC) report. There is a summary of its 77 pages. The full report covers the scope for LVC, reform to S.106, reform to CIL and the 1.5m housing target. Recommendations are from page 61.
An Epilogue criticises the Government’s Homes for London policy (See an earlier update). The GLA said (page 59) it can result in inflated land values and slow down delivery and the Committee sent a letter to Steve Reed MP.
Homes for Londoners
The NLA produced a manual ‘Homes for Londoners’.
It aims to support delivery of more social rent homes. The study outlines six key actions with a proposal for a Homes for Londoners Impact Fund.
Details and the publication are here.
This initiative must be considered against the Government’s new National Housing Bank and reduction in 35% affordable homes target covered by an earlier London Forum update.
Renters’ Rights Act
A new Act of Parliament protects renters from ‘no fault’ evictions and gives them the right to end tenancies with two months’ notice.
Shelter produced here advice for private renters and Pinsent Masons issued a guide for landlords here.
Renters will see further reforms to end bidding wars and to stop landlords demanding more than one month’s rent upfront. Tenants will be able also to challenge unfair rent increases and ask to keep a pet.
![Mogden sewage works [photo : eight2O]](https://www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mogden-e1761696948580-320x202.jpg)
Failures of Thames Water
In the Environment Agency’s Environment Performance assessment (EPA) for 2024 here, Thames Water was the worst performing of the nine water and sewage companies. It had the highest number of serious pollution incidents, more than doubled since 2023.
Most incidents were from foul sewers and self-reporting from this asset type is far too low (73%). Of serious pollution incidents 63% (47 out of 75) were self-reported by the water companies, a decline from 74% in 2023.
Euston masterplan
The Government has put firms on notice for a £360m design and engineering job over five years for the programme of works at Euston station.
The appointed team will work with the Euston Delivery Company (EDC) overseeing upgrades to the existing mainline station and the development of the surrounding residential and commercial district.
The job will not include the new central London terminus for HS2, which is part of the wider Euston masterplan but is being delivered separately through a private finance partner.
![Nationally Significant Infrastructure People/Process [ Graphic: HMG ]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nationally-Significant-Infrastructure.jpg?resize=320%2C202&ssl=1)
Reducing infrastructure delays
The Government has issued a news story here on “backing the builders not the blockers”, explaining it will work with the judiciary to cut the amount of time it takes for a judicial review to move through the court system for nationally critical infrastructure projects.
HM Treasury and MHCLG are concerned the delays stunt economic growth by holding back development due to lack of utilities.
Social housing
Past updates under the tag ‘Housing Delivery‘ cover lack of funding for social housing. That subject was covered by our Patron Tony Travers of the LSE and Leanne Tritton of The London Society in talks at our AGM, reported separately.
The lawyer Simon Ricketts examines stalling of building here and proposals from the APPG for London on speeding house building are here.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The progress of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been slow and just before the Report Stage of the Bill in the House of Lords, the Government put forward amendments to the Bill. One could prevent councils refusing planning permission and another would limit when Natural England should be involved in planning decisions. Richard Harwood KC has commented on some of the proposed amendments.
Reforming Licensing
The government invites views and evidence here UNTIL NOON ON 6TH NOVEMBER 2025 to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system for alcohol sales. It is to build on the Licensing Taskforce recommendations and the government’s response and to support the Government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burdens by 25% by the end of this Parliament. Responses should be made online.
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More social housing
Planning Fees consultation response
The Queen Elizabeth II Garden
London Population’s Projected Growth: Patterns Across Boroughs
This is the second in a series of articles on London’s population, making use of the Office of National Statistics’ latest growth projections, published recently here. The focus is on [more…]
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