The place for progressive housing debate
Red Brick is a progressive political blog with a particular focus on housing policy edited by Alex Toal since March 2024.
As a forum it is open to anyone interested in the progressive debate about housing, communities, and wider politics.
We are linked to the Labour Housing Group but the views expressed here are those of individual authors and/or the editors and are not necessarily the view of LHG or London LHG.
Through debate and the sharing of ideas in this open forum, we will help to develop sound Labour housing policies, support Labour councils to do their best to address housing needs, and support LHG to make sure housing is seen a priority for Labour.
It was founded in 2010 by Tony Clements and Steve Hilditch and been previously edited by our pseudonymous friend Monimbo.
- How to increase housebuilding by adopting the 15-minute city
City building specialist Simon Barrow looks at how the concept of the 15-minute city and 20-minute neighbourhood can improve wellbeing and social connectivity - Labour’s Planning Bill is the keystone of its housing delivery plans
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has to be viewed as part of a larger package of measures, from NPPF reform to increased grant funding, behind the Government’s housing theory of change. - Living with the Private Rented Sector
The 10-year plan for housing needs to ensure that local authorities can enforce the Renters’ Rights Bill and deliver a step-change in cultures and practices in the PRS, Giles Peaker writes - Looking back over 7 years ahead of the 10-year plan for housing
Looking back on seven years at Shelter, Polly Neate reflects on how much has changed from the supposed “death of social housing” in the 2010s to the need to position it the heart of the Government’s agenda.