Britain’s ‘Computer Says No’ attitude needs a reboot October 1, 2024 Modern Britain is the victim of needless rules, a useless public sector and a lack of ambition, writes James Price
‘Time is of the essence’: Government urged to push ahead with planning changes September 26, 2024 The government has put forward a major set of reforms to the planning system, which is widely seen as one of the major barriers to economic growth.
Ed Miliband brands renewable energy transition a ‘national security fight’ against nimbys September 17, 2024 Britain’s transition to renewable energy is the “economic justice, energy security and national security fight of our time”, Ed Miliband has said, as he pledged to “take on the blockers”. The energy security and net zero secretary told Energy UK’s annual conference in London that fossil fuel “dependence” continued to leave the UK “deeply vulnerable [...]
Marlow Film Studios plots appeal to overturn rejection of £750m project August 29, 2024 Marlow Film Studios is set to appeal Buckinghamshire Council’s decision to block its £750m film studio development, a project backed by high-profile Hollywood figures, including Avatar director James Cameron. City A.M. understands the Studios expects to lodge the appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in early September, though the exact timing is subject to the vagaries [...]
Blackstone chief Steve Schwarzman’s NIMBY problem: Newts in My Backyard August 7, 2024 In his day job as Blackstone’s chief executive, Stephen Schwarzman is used to dealing with slimy adversaries conspiring to prevent him from getting his way. But now the private equity boss is facing a similar problem in a more personal capacity, after the potential presence of an endangered species of newt has prevented him from [...]
England ‘particularly bad’ at building houses where they are needed, research shows August 1, 2024 Nationwide the total number of properties grew 21 per cent between 1996 and 2021, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
Move to cut London’s housebuilding target raises eyebrows July 30, 2024 Angela Rayner’s decision to cut London’s housing target has raised some eyebrows given the severe housing crisis facing Londoners. In a speech in the House of Commons this afternoon, the deputy Prime Minister confirmed that mandatory housing targets would be reinstated for local authorities among a swathe of other planning changes. But the new target [...]
UK restores housebuilding targets and sets out green belt review in planning push July 30, 2024 Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves’ Labour government has unveiled a series of reforms to the planning system, including a review of the green belt, to help address “the most acute housing crisis in living memory.” Under new policies confirmed today, local authorities will again be given mandatory housing targets to help “pave the way” to [...]
Will Labour’s move to hire 300 planning officers be enough to get Britain building again? July 24, 2024 Since entering office, planning reforms have been central to the new government’s attempts to stimulate higher economic growth. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already announced a number of important changes to the planning regime with more changes expected before the end of the month. Alongside these reforms, the government has committed to hire 300 extra planners [...]
Getting ‘everyone in the room’ won’t cut it, Labour must be ready to cause upset July 23, 2024 To govern as an ‘adult’, Labour must confront the hard decisions now and be ready to cause some controversy, writes James Nation.