Steve Reed optimistic on pledge. Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

The government’s housing secretary, Steve Reed, continues to be op timistic about the chance of a pledge to build 1.5m new homes in England despite mounting concern about delays.

Earlier this week, Reed said that he would “absolutely” meet the goal and widespread scepticism would make “celebration all the sweeter”, he told BBC Panorama.

“My job should be on the line if I fail to meet my target,” Reed said. “I expect to be held to account.”

But experts have pointed to a variety of roadblocks on the path to 1.5m extra homes, not least a skills shortage and soaring building costs.

Tim Seddon, CEO of Retirement Villages Group, stated that although the government has made some “good progress”, it is not on trac

See Full Page