Sir Keir Starmer advocates for flexibility in recruiting overseas workers
Under a Labour government, foreign workers may be brought in from abroad to assist in constructing the 1.5 million homes that are planned. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, believes that there needs to be flexibility in opening up opportunities for migrants to address the skills shortages in Britain. While housing has become a key issue in the upcoming election, Starmer emphasized that his priority is to utilize the skills of UK citizens by partnering with specialized colleges to ensure a sufficient supply of homegrown talent.
Addressing the skills shortage and the need for more housing
Many business leaders have expressed the need to recruit from overseas due to the lack of available skills in the UK. Starmer disagrees with this approach and aims to challenge the Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY) activists who obstruct the construction of new homes. As a self-proclaimed Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) advocate, Starmer believes it is crucial to build the necessary homes for the future and fulfill the aspirations of young people who want to enter the housing market. He has pledged to build 1.5 million homes in the first five years of a Labour government.
Taking on opposition and overriding local objections
Starmer is prepared to face opposition from both MPs and councils in order to deliver his housing plans. He is willing to "bulldoze away" any obstacles that stand in the way, including Labour MPs who may support the project but object to the construction taking place in their own constituencies. In addition to building new homes, the plan includes the development of ten new towns, which may require overriding objections to major developments. However, Housing Secretary Michael Gove criticized Starmer's housing policy, accusing him of prioritizing short-term positioning over a long-term plan.
