Amy Paterson was pleased to have attended an interesting Q&A with Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent at The Times this morning. Thanks very much to the hosts, PLMR, for the invite.
A broad range of topics were covered, including (but not limited to):
-how the new government - "Starm-Troopers"(!!) - will champion YIMBYism. This topic was particularly relevant given Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves' first speech that confirmed the timeframes for consulting on the Framework to reintroduce mandator housing targets, the creation of a new Taskforce to accelerate stalling housing projects, planning officer recruitment, and National Policy Statements, amongst other reforms;
-the speech was then followed by the first Policy Statement relaxing the planning rules for onshore wind;
- the disappointing lack of priority for much needed social care reforms;
- the structure of the House of Lords;
- the university crisis; and
- who the future Conservative leader may be, and when it will be decided.