Brick by Brick
Our ‘property-owning democracy’ is no longer working. The home ownership rate in England peaked in 2003 at 71 per cent of households; today, the private housing markets for both sale and rent are so expensive relative to people’s incomes that they fail the test of security for far too many. Government changes to welfare benefits and the development model for social housing since 2010 have also left those on the lowest incomes with few or no affordable choices and placed many in an intractable poverty trap.
The election of a new Labour government provides a vital opportunity to rethink our housing ethos and remake the market. To do so, argues Simon Graham, we must be clear eyed about the relationship between our society and the land that it sits on.
In this pamphlet, Graham traces the history of land and development in Britain and Europe, and reaches a conclusion that is simple, radical, and above all hopeful: if it chooses to, the state can ensure everyone’s housing needs are met.
Going up a Gear
10 July 2024
Luke Raikes sets out practical recommendations to boost productivity while raising living standards, protecting the environment, and unlocking resources for public services and infrastructure.
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5 July 2024
Labour have won in a landslide. The task of changing Britain starts today, writes Fabian Society general secretary Andrew Harrop
Hard Fought Labour party / ElectionsJoin the Fabian Society
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This edition of the Fabian Review takes a deep dive into Labour's historic election victory, featuring Paula Surridge, Colm Murphy and Fraser McMillan. In an arts and culture special, Alison Cole, James Graham, Antony Gormley, Paul Richards and Josette Bushell-Mingo set out what Labour can do to help our creative sector flourish. Elsewhere, Alex Sobel MP advocates for the creation of a Black Sea expeditionary force and Rachael Saunders makes the case for enforcing high ethical standards in the private sector.
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