The Government has unveiled its plan to “overhaul our housing system” in England over the next five years.
Angela Rayner announced the Government’s housing mission this week.
In a bid to “meet the needs of working people” and “put communities first”, the Deputy Prime Minister said the new Labour Government’s plan is to introduce mandatory planning targets on all local Councils in England that aim to build a whopping 1.5 million new homes within the next half decade, and at least 50% of those will be considered ‘affordable’.
The new targets will boost housebuilding in the areas “most in need”, according to Rayner, and will help more people buy their own homes, as well as help to drive growth and ultimately “make everyone in the country better off”.
We will deliver the homes needed right across the country.
🏠Building 1.5m new homes 🏠Prioritising affordable homes for social rent and first-time buyers 🏠Putting local people in control 🏠Delivering growth across the whole country
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 31, 2024
Rayner says the new rules set out this week will reverse the previous Government‘s decision last year to “water-down housing targets” by making them explicitly advisory at a time when planning permissions were said to be “at a record low”, and instead reflect the level of ambition that’s necessary to tackle the current housing crisis.
These new targets are set to flow into the development of local plans, as the Government says it’s through local plans that communities get to have their say in the building of the homes and infrastructure they need.
Currently just a third of Councils have a plan that’s under five years old, which is why the Government wants to “take tough decisions” and “step in where needed” to drive progress and ensure local areas get a say on if and how homes are built.
The Deputy Prime Minister has written to every Council leader and Chief Executive in England to make it clear that there is “not just a professional responsibility, but a moral obligation to see more homes built”.
She added that she will “not hesitate to use her powers of intervention” if it ends up being necessary, and this includes directly taking over an authority’s plan-making.
“This marks a significant step to getting Britain building again,” Angela Rayner announced.
“Our decisive reforms to the planning system correct the errors of the past and set us on our way to tackling the housing crisis, delivering 1.5 million homes for those who really need them.
“And something I am personally proud of, our new flexibilities for councils will boost the number of social and affordable homes, and give working families a better route to a secure home.”
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
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Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Thomas Melia
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Police ‘stop and search’ powers authorised following double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
1st August 2024 
