UKH 'encouraged' by Reeves first speech as Chancellor

In her first speech as Chancellor today (Monday 8 July), Rachel Reeves said work was “underway” to take decisive and urgent action to reform planning systems following a meeting with new Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Reeves made a number of pledges to put growth at the centre of the planning system, including reformation of the National Planning Policy Framework, giving priority to energy projects and supporting local authorities with 300 additional planning officers across the country.

“Nowhere is decisive reform needed more urgently than in the case of our planning system.

Economic ambition 

“Planning reform has become a byword for political timidity in the face of vested interests and a graveyard of economic ambition.

“Our antiquated planning system leaves too many important projects getting tied up in years and years of red tape before shovels ever get into the ground.

“We promised to put planning reform at the centre of our political argument – and we did”, she said.

Responding the speech this morning, UKH chief executive Kate Nicholls said the trade body was “encouraged” by the intentions laid out.

Nicholls continued: “Planning approvals are in freefall, with the level of applications decided within statutory time limits falling every year since 2013.

Desperately needed 

“Too many hospitality businesses with ambitions to expand and grow are held back and frustrated by the current system.

“Planning reform is desperately needed, to unlock business ambitions and develop local infrastructure.

“The two go hand-in-hand, with many hospitality businesses often finding recruitment challenging due to the lack of housing available, particularly in rural areas.

“Putting growth as a central aim of the planning system can allow hospitality businesses to create new jobs, drive economic growth and contribute to the regeneration and renewal of our towns and cities.”