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.
- Bricks, Mortar, and the People to Lay Them
Tom Arey, director at PfP Thrive, lays out the challenges faced by organisations aiming to address the skills shortages in housing and what can be done to attract more people to the sector. - Reforming Section 106 is crucial for a generational boost in social housing
The existing system to fund social housing from developer contributions, the New Economics Foundation’s Hollie Wright shows, is too loose and needs clearer requirements and greater transparency. - How can we address the current crisis in temporary accommodation?
Crisis CEO Matt Downie sets out how more investment in social housing, improved data collection and a focus on prevention can ensure that temporary accommodation is truly temporary. - A plan to boost skills in the construction industry to deliver 1.5m homes
City building specialist Simon Barrow lays out what government, employers and educators need to do to address the skills shortage in construction.