Michael Gove accused of 'empty promises' as he tries to salvage Tory housing record

Labour's Lisa Nandy says housing crisis 'has gone from bad to worse' after 13 years of Tory rule, with construction of new homes in the country 'falling off a cliff'

Michael Gove said the target of 300,000 new homes is "one I completely support" (

Image: PA)

Top Tory Michael Gove has desperately tried to salvage the government's record on housing as Labor floated 'empty promises'.

The Housing Secretary insisted he was "building towards" the party's 2019 election vow to build 300,000 homes a year - a target that was never met.

The Cabinet Minister also promised to prioritize the long-delayed manifesto promise to scrap no-fault evictions for tenants after the summer holidays.

And in a major speech in central London, he pledged to cut red tape to pave the way for more store conversions and takeaways to homes.

But his proposals for a new urban neighborhood in Cambridge with space for homes and laboratories were immediately criticized by local Conservative MP Anthony Browne who said he was "doing everything" to stop the "absurd plans".

Labour's Lisa Nandy says the housing crisis is "from bad to worse" under Tory watch (

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Mr Gove's attempts to tackle the housing crisis come about a year after the general election and Keir Starmer's push to make Labor the party of people who dream of home ownership.

After 13 years in power, the Conservatives' record includes more than a million people on the waiting list for public housing. In May, data showed the number of families stuck in temporary accommodation exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 20 years.

MPs also warned a fortnight ago that the government is unlikely to deliver on its pledge to build 300,000 new homes a year.

Speaking at Kings Cross on Monday, Mr Gove said: 'The target of 300,000 by the middle of this decade is one I fully respect.

But insisted the government should hit him, he said: "As soon as we p...