Deputy prime Angela Rayner will tomorrow unveil a new National Planning Policy Framework in a move that will strengthen requirements for far higher numbers of affordable homes to be built in areas of need, starting as soon as this autumn.

Writing a preview of the move in The Observer over the weekend, Rayner gave few details but confirmed the framework would be presented to MPs tomorrow, just before they start their summer recess.

Rayner writes: “In the death throes of the clapped-out Conservative government, they gave up on governing and compounded their housing failure. In the first three months of this year, work started on 41% fewer homes compared to the same period in 2023.

“Delivering social and affordable houses at scale is not only my No 1 priority to ensure everyone has a secure roof over their head. But it is also a crucial step on the path to 1.5m homes, kickstarting the sector out of this slump. 

“That’s why we will take action to inject confidence and certainty into the social housing system, so that councils and private providers can get back to building.”

It’s thought that local authorities and Mayors will be central to the framework.

During Labour’s 13 years in government from 1997 to 2010 there were some 363,000 new social rent homes delivered compared with some 171,000 in the 13 years of Conservative rule from 2010 to 2023 – and of these 45% were delivered in the first two years, completing Labour’s building programme

There has been no news over the timing of a Renters Rights Bill, which is expected to follow closely the measures enshrined in the Conservative Renters Reform Bill.