Starmer determined to build more homes in south-east England

Sir Keir Starmer said the current level of housebuilding was "not sustainable"

Sir Keir Starmer says he is "determined to build the houses the South East needs", including on green belt land.

Visiting the Siemens train depot in Crawley, the Labour leader said he understood the concerns of residents who were worried about pressure on services and infrastructure.

But he said the current level of housebuilding was "not sustainable".

"I don't think we can maintain for any longer destroying the dream of home ownership for young people," he said.

Last year, the Labour Party announced it would build on the green belt to boost housing if it won the next general election.

Sir Keir's visit to the Siemens train depot comes the morning after Crawley Borough Council declared a housing emergency due to "unprecedented temporary accommodation demands".

Responding to this, Sir Keir said: "To have to pronounce a crisis is a very bad state of affairs.

"I am determined that we will build the houses that are needed."

He also refused to commit to increasing funding for councils, amid warnings that local authorities in the South East could go effectively bankrupt.

He said he would give councils funding for three years at a time, rather than one year in advance, if Labour were in government.

He said it would make a "material difference" as it "allows councils to spend their money much more efficiently".

But Labour-run Medway Council said it could only produce a balanced budget this year if the government allowed it to borrow more money.

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