Burnham mulls directing £39bn housing fund entirely to social rent

A £39 billion, 10-year investment package could be directed entirely toward council and housing association homes for social rent, rather than subsidising affordable purchase. BBC News reported the option on 16 July 2026. It would depart from the ownership-focused models of recent governments and tilt national tenure policy toward renting — a choice with England-wide implications, as housing is devolved.