Crunching the numbers behind Labour’s pledge to build 180,000 new soci

Angela Rayner is set to announce plans to build 180,000 new social homes in the next decade, as the government seeks to “turn the tide on the housing crisis”.

It would be six times greater than the number of social homes built in the 10 years up to 2024 – and forms part of a drive to build 300,000 new social and affordable properties by 2035.

The plan is backed by a £39bn investment announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last month’s spending review.

The deputy prime minister called on the social housing sector to “work together to turn the tide of the housing crisis”, and said the investment was “the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation”.

“We are seizing this golden opportunity with both hands to transform this country by building the social and affordable homes we need, so we create a brighter future where families aren’t trapped in temporary accommodation and young people are no longer locked out of a secure home,” she said.

Ms Rayner’s target for social and affordable housing is part of a wider long-term plan – also due to be published on Wednesday – setting out how the government will build both more houses and improve housing standards.

Here, Sky News looks at what the plan will mean for the country, how it compares to previous programmes, and how it could be affected by the increased cost of construction.