LONDON, July 30, 2025 —
New data indicates a potential surge in demand for new homes in England, though the number of new homes certified as complete remains below targets.
- Applications for more than 335,000 homes outside London were submitted in 2025, a 60% increase year-over-year, according to data shared with BBC Verify.
- Applications in London fell by almost a third last year, returning to near 2023 levels.
- Only 202,803 new homes were certified with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in 2025, falling short of the 300,000 needed annually to meet Labour’s targets.
Demand for new homes in England outside of London has risen sharply, while applications in the capital have declined, according to new figures shared with BBC Verify. Data from Planning Portal shows more than 335,000 home applications were submitted outside London in 2025, a 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Tracking Labour’s Housing Pledge
For the past 19 months, meeting Labour’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes in England by the next election has appeared increasingly challenging. However, the recent rise in planning applications outside London suggests a potential shift, though officials caution that many applications will ultimately be withdrawn, amended, or rejected.
In contrast to the increase outside London, applications in the capital fell by almost a third last year, returning to levels seen in 2023. BBC Verify also tracks the number of new homes built using Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which are required for all new properties and generally align with official figures, though they can be issued before a home is fully completed and occupied.
The latest EPC data shows 202,803 new homes certified in 2025, down from 208,072 in 2024. This figure remains significantly below the 300,000 homes a year needed to meet the Labour party’s goal. However, registrations in the second half of 2025 were slightly higher than during the same period last year.
Ministers have stated that it will take time to increase house-building rates, as many homes completed since the election were initiated under previous Conservative planning policies.
“This is an early stage in a process that can take years and many applications will be withdrawn, amended or rejected,” BBC Verify reported.
Readers can find figures for their local area through the BBC’s housing tracker: See the figures for your local area in our housing tracker.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by BBC Verify and added independent analysis and context.
