Housing

The Lead Untangles: Planning reforms

New planning rules have sparked claims that councils will no longer be able to block HMOs, but the reality is more complicated

Jul 30 • The Lead and Kevin Gopal

The house that Burnham builds

A new generation of council homes is promised but the myths of who gets them are taking hold

Jul 28 • Hannah Fearn and The Lead

Burnham has brought hope back to No.10 - now comes the hard part

Burnham’s first moves suggest a government focused on living standards and everyday concerns — but difficult choices are already emerging

Jul 21 • Zoe Grunewald and The Lead Editors

The Lead Untangles: Why is the UK seeing so many wildfires?

The UK is increasingly at risk of experiencing wildfires, with last year seeing the most blazes on record. But are we prepared?

Jul 16 • The Lead, Ella Glover, and The Lead Editors

The Lead Untangles: Rent controls

With Andy Burnham almost certain to become the next Prime Minister, campaigners are demanding rent controls

Jul 9 • The Lead and Kevin Gopal

The Lead Untangles: Will seven new towns fix Britain’s housing crisis?

Labour is betting on a new generation of towns to boost growth and tackle the housing shortage – but can they deliver in time?

Apr 9 • Kevin Gopal and The Lead

The Lead Untangles: Is shared ownership a 'trap'?

Marketed as affordable home ownership, critics say the government-backed housing scheme can trap buyers in rising costs. We dig into the detail.

Apr 2 • Kevin Gopal and The Lead

Disabled Londoner with MBE left homeless by his own council

When disability advocate Isaac Harvey needed urgent support, Redbridge Council had nothing to offer but delays, confusion and unsafe options.

Jan 10 • Natalie Morris and The Lead

We are deep in a housing crisis – why are so many properties still empty?

New data reveals councils are barely taking over empty homes anymore, amid calls for a new national programme to bring unused properties back into use.

Dec 13, 2025 • Matty Edwards and The Lead

New asylum policies making homeless refugees “targets for the far right”

Labour’s abrupt return to the 28-day move-on period is pushing vulnerable people into rough sleeping and exposing them to fraud and abuse.

Nov 25, 2025 • The Lead and Policy Matters

The Lead Untangles: Is there a simple solution to the homelessness crisis?

Ahead of the Budget, the housing sector is united in calling for Local Housing Allowance rates to be unfrozen – will Reeves listen?

Nov 20, 2025 • Matty Edwards and The Lead

London is getting homeless families out of hotels – but the crisis is far from over

Councils in the capital have managed to vastly reduce the number of families in hotels and B&Bs, but is this really a win in the battle against…

Oct 25, 2025 • Matty Edwards and The Lead

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