Angela Rayner Unveils Housing Plan Overhaul

Angela Rayner, the UK's Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, has criticized environmental regulations that she claims hinder housing development, stating that 'newts are more protected than people'. During her appearance on Sky News, she emphasized the urgent need for housing, setting a target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, and insisted that wildlife protections should not obstruct this goal. Rayner proposed a streamlining of planning processes to prevent local councils from blocking developments, asserting that both wildlife and housing needs could be balanced. She highlighted the absurdity of costly wildlife preservation measures, like a £100 million bat tunnel, which have delayed major infrastructure projects. Critics express concern that this approach may undermine local input in planning decisions. Rayner's remarks reflect a broader commitment by the Labour Party to address the housing crisis while navigating environmental concerns.