Housebuilding slumps in several Greater London districts

New data shows a decline in housebuilding in several UK council areas, particularly in Greater London. Islington Council reported a 90.2% drop in newly completed homes. Other areas like Hounslow, Luton, Harlow, and Slough also faced significant reductions. The Independent says the trend poses a challenge to the Labour Party's goal of constructing 1.5m new homes by 2029. The Office for National Statistics revealed over 1m planning permissions remain unbuilt in England. The Housing Secretary's office attributed the crisis to the previous Conservative government's removal of mandatory housing targets, and aims to expedite development. 

The Independent (10/09/2025)