Government 1.5 million housebuilding target would only ‘dent’ need, says Rayner

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government’s target for 1.5million new homes would only leave “a dent” in the country’s housing need, Angela Rayner has said. It is a dent in what we need to achieve as a whole country to deliver the houses we desperately need Angela Rayner Ms Rayner took questions from the housing, communities and local government committee of MPs on Tuesday, and was asked whether annual targets could be reviewed or increased towards the end of the Parliament if needed to hit the 1.5 million total. “If somebody wants to come forward and beat that target we’re not going to turn around and say no you can’t do that.” Ms Rayner – who also serves as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – called the 1.5 million figure a “stretch target” but that she was “determined” to not “lose this fight, and added: “Even if I achieve and this Government achieves the 1.5 million homes target, it is a dent. “It is a dent in what we need to achieve as a whole country to deliver the houses we desperately need.” As well as the 1.5 million target, Ms Rayner said that it is “critical” that there is the infrastructure development to go alongside it.