London Mayor Sadiq Khan launched his campaign for a historic third term with a bold promise aimed at addressing the city’s housing crisis. Khan, alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, will reveal plans to begin on what he calls “the greatest council housebuilding drive in a generation.”
In his bid for re-election, Khan pledges to double his previous target and build a staggering 40,000 new council homes by the end of the decade. This ambitious initiative aims to provide much-needed affordable housing for Londoners, particularly those struggling with increasing rents and long waiting lists for council accommodation.
During the campaign launch event in central London, Khan emphasized the crucial role of the upcoming May election, framing it as a “once in a generation” opportunity to tackle the housing crisis head-on. He warned against the possibility of regression under the Conservatives, urging voters to choose “unity and hope with Labour” over “chaos and division.”
Despite polls indicating a significant lead over his Tory rival Susan Hall, Khan stressed the importance of every vote, highlighting the change in the voting system to first-past-the-post and asserting that the contest for City Hall is poised to be the “closest ever.”
As part of his campaign, Khan’s pledge coincides with a directive from Housing Secretary Michael Gove for a partial review of the London Plan to ramp up housing construction efforts in the capital. This collaboration underscores the urgency and collaborative approach needed to counter the housing crisis.
Khan’s initiative comes amidst a significant rise in UK house prices, adding urgency to his promise of affordable housing. According to data from the UK’s biggest property website, Rightmove, the average UK home’s asking price has surged by £5,279 to nearly £370,000 in March alone. This 1.5% increase marks the biggest monthly rise in 10 months, indicating a renewed increase in the housing market after a muted 2023.
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