Sunak promises a million new homes before elections

(Patria) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to build one million homes by the next general election, addressing a housing shortage that has alienated some younger voters who are often forced to pay high rents and cannot afford to buy a home, Reuters reports.

Ahead of an election expected next year, Sunak's ruling Conservatives have seen support collapse among younger voters, who are frustrated by being priced out of homeownership and struggling with the high cost of childcare.

Housing has long been a divisive issue for the Conservatives, who are split between some
lawmakers in rural areas who do not want to see increased development and want to protect
green belt land, and those in more urban regions who want to see as many houses built as quickly as possible.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove will set out further measures on Monday to unblock the planning system and build homes in the 'right places' where there is local consent to meet the one million target set at the 2019 election.

Sunak said his government would focus on building in urban areas where demand is greatest, including a new urban quarter in Cambridge to boost its role as a science hub.

"Today I can confirm that we will meet our manifesto commitment to build a million
homes. That is a beautiful new home for a million individual families in every corner of our country," Sunak said.

"We will not do this by concreting over our villages. Our plan is to build the right homes where there is the greatest need and where there is local support, in the heart of our great British cities," he added.

This is Sunak's latest attempt to cut the opposition Labour Party's large lead in the polls after an unexpected victory in a so-called by-election on Friday near the centre of London gave him little breathing room.