The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Britain is trapped in a new build nightmare
Jun 6, 2025
Anoush Chakelian, a writer for the New Statesman, sheds light on Britain's alarming housing crisis in her cover story. She reveals the stark contrast between the government’s housing promises and the dismal quality of new builds. Chakelian discusses the woes of residents in defect-ridden flats and critiques developers' accountability. The conversation delves into the push and pull between new builds and beloved period homes, emphasizing the need for better construction standards and innovative social housing solutions to foster community living.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Luxury Flats, Shocking Defects
- Anoush Chakelian visited high-end new build flats in Keir Starmer's constituency with severe construction defects.
- Residents face swaying buildings, mould, unusable rooms, and non-functioning facilities despite paying nearly a million pounds each.
Warranty Failures Hurt Buyers
- Developers and warranty providers often ignore complaints beyond the first two years after purchase.
- Homeowners battle costly legal fights or cover repair costs themselves, severely impacting quality of life.
Political Conflict on Housing Quality
- Politicians face a conflict between holding developers accountable and needing them to build many homes quickly.
- Government aims for rapid housebuilding but risks ignoring poor quality to meet targets.