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Burnham Announces £10B Plan for 70,000 New Homes

8/25/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a £10 billion package to build 70,000 homes in England.
Around 60% of the homes will be social-rent council houses under the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Greater Manchester will receive £529 million for roughly 4,400 new homes, the largest regional share.
Housing secretary Sir James Cleverly called the plan a “sleight of hand” and warned it is unfunded until 2039.

History

Historical Context

After World II the UK expanded public housing through the 1946 Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, which created rent tribunals, and the 1949 Housing Act that granted local authorities 75 % Exchequer subsidies to acquire and improve homes, enabling mixed-income estates. This post-war framework under Attlee’s government shapes today’s UK housing initiatives, echoing the original council-house building drive.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a £10 billion package to build 70,000 homes in England.
Around 60% of the homes will be social-rent council houses under the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Greater Manchester will receive £529 million for roughly 4,400 new homes, the largest regional share.
Housing secretary Sir James Cleverly called the plan a “sleight of hand” and warned it is unfunded until 2039.

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