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

8/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced £10 billion to fund 70,000 new council homes in England.
The government also pledged £46 million over three years to support local authorities building council housing.
Industry leaders warn a shortage of about 40,000 scaffolders over the next five years threatens construction targets.
Checkatrade data show more than 200,000 EU construction workers have left the UK since 2019.

History

Historical Context

The 1946 Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act subsidised council building and yielded over 800,000 homes by 1951. That post-war effort built on the 1944 act’s £150 million budget for 300,000 emergency homes. Today, Mayor Andy Burnham’s £10 billion pledge for 70,000 new council homes in England echoes that historic ambition to address the shortage.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced £10 billion to fund 70,000 new council homes in England.
The government also pledged £46 million over three years to support local authorities building council housing.
Industry leaders warn a shortage of about 40,000 scaffolders over the next five years threatens construction targets.
Checkatrade data show more than 200,000 EU construction workers have left the UK since 2019.

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