Housing

The UK currently faces a housing crisis. Since 2010 we’ve seen a steep drop in investment for new affordable homes; billions of pounds cut from housing benefit; inaction on short-term lets; soaring rents in the private rented sector; and significant cuts to funding for homelessness services.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has shown us how important it is for everyone to have the right to a decent home. As the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing I am leading on this for the Labour Party.

On this page you will find my work in Parliament and in Bristol to campaign for meaningful action to tackle housing inequality, end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

My latest work on this issue

The government must urgently re-start ‘Everyone In’ to keep people safe this winter

03 Nov 2020

The ‘Everyone In’ initiative in March was an incredible achievement by councils and charities, which saved hundreds of lives. A repeat of this success will require strong leadership and effective co-ordination from central Government. As we head into a second lockdown, the Government must urgently re-start ‘Everyone In’ to protect…

Three years after Grenfell, government inaction still risking thousands of lives

09 Oct 2020

Many people across the country are desperate for help to remove the unsafe cladding on their homes. They have contacted me as Shadow Housing Secretary to help draw attention to this problem. They had no say in it being put there but are being made to suffer the consequences. The…

Zero carbon homes are more important than ever

05 Oct 2020

Today Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick claimed that his is committed to climate-friendly, zero carbon homes, even though his own target falls far short of this important standard. Their new ‘Future Homes Standard’ aims to cut current emissions by 75-80% by 2025 – hardly the ambition or urgency needed to respond…

Government incompetence causing an evictions crisis

18 Sep 2020

For thousands of people worried about paying the rent this month, this must feel like Groundhog Day. On Monday, the ban on evictions will expire, allowing landlords to take their tenants to court and evict them. The deadline on 20 September follows an extension of the ban in June and…

View all

My latest work on this issue

Housing, homelessness and the new variant of COVID-19

Efficient housing can drive a green economic recovery

All children deserve a home

This winter, rough sleepers need more help

Why has the government turned its back on rough sleepers?

The government must urgently re-start ‘Everyone In’ to keep people safe this winter

Three years after Grenfell, government inaction still risking thousands of lives

Zero carbon homes are more important than ever

Government incompetence causing an evictions crisis