Coffee House Shots Why Britain needs more Yimbys
Nov 22, 2025
Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North and co-chair of the Labour Growth Group, teams up with Maxwell Marlowe, policy fellow at the YIMBY Initiative. They tackle the urgent need for housing reform in Britain, advocating the 'Build Baby Build' movement. Curtis highlights the devastating impact of housing shortages on younger generations, while Marlowe critiques bureaucratic hurdles in the building sector. Together, they discuss innovative policy solutions and the importance of cross-party support to transform Britain's housing landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
YIMBYs Mean Saying Yes In Your Own Backyard
- YIMBYism means saying yes to housing where you live rather than opposing developments in practice.
- The movement links pro-growth politics to on-the-ground support for new homes and infrastructure.
Housing Shortage Is The Core Cost Problem
- Britain has failed to build enough housing, causing housing costs to outpace wages for decades.
- Chris Curtis argues boosting supply is the single biggest lever to reduce living-cost pressure for younger generations.
Regulation Can Block The Homes It Intends To Protect
- A well‑intentioned building‑safety regulator created long delays for high‑rise approvals, especially in London.
- Chris Curtis warns knee‑jerk regulation after tragedies can have larger negative consequences if not designed for delivery.