Building Better Homes

Yesterday, I had the chance to speak in a Westminster Hall debate about the standards of construction in new-build homes. I've seen firsthand how crucial safe, high-quality housing is for our communities. Unfortunately, I've also witnessed how often developers fall short, leaving homeowners with endless snagging lists and costly repairs.

Broken Promises, Broken Homes

It's easy to be reassured by the statistic that 89% of new homeowners are satisfied with their homes. But when you look closer, a more troubling picture emerges. A shocking 27% of new homeowners report having 16 or more defects in their homes — these aren't just minor snags; they are serious issues that affect daily life.

Take Lancaster Park in Hungerford, for example. Residents there are dealing with the fallout of poor construction standards. When people invest their savings into a new home, they expect quality and longevity — not a list of repairs. These stories are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a broken system that has allowed profit to come before quality for far too long.

Homes That Work for the Future

The reality is that the UK has some of the worst-insulated homes in Europe, leaving 6 million households living in fuel poverty — including around 3,000 right here in Newbury. We can't keep building homes that are outdated the moment they're finished. That's why I'm calling for zero-carbon homes to become the standard, with solar panels, renewable energy, and proper insulation as standard. These measures aren't just about climate action; they're about reducing bills and making homes more affordable to live in.

Building Communities, Not Just Houses

Quality housing goes beyond the bricks and mortar — it means creating communities where people can thrive. Yet too often, we see developments that lack essential infrastructure like GP surgeries, schools, public transport links, and green spaces. We need a planning system that guarantees developers will provide these services alongside housing targets.

Sustainable drainage systems, better flood defences, and climate-resilient design should also be the norm, especially in areas like ours that face frequent flooding. As I said in Parliament, the Government must do more to protect our precious chalk streams, such as the River Lambourn and the River Kennet, and ensure that planning decisions consider their long-term impact.

Time for Action

The Government has taken steps, but it's not enough. Homeowners need a strong regulator to hold developers accountable for the quality of their work. We must stop letting people down and start building homes that genuinely work for those who live in them.

Every family deserves a safe, warm, and high-quality home — not just a roof over their heads, but a foundation for a better future.