Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Angela Rayner's plan to build 1.5m 'ugly' homes Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary, made her big announcement on parliament's last day before the summer recess.    I wrote that she proved that she hasn't been sidelined by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves: if she delivers more houses, she will be a force to be reckoned with.    Unfortunately, she unwisely dropped the requirement that new homes be "beautiful", presumably on the grounds that it cannot be legislated for, and can be used by nimbys to block development.   Even more unfortunately, though, her ministry published a version of the National Planning Policy Framework with tracked changes in it, which reveal that the words "beauty" and "beautiful" have actually been deleted several times.    A gift to Rayner's shadow, Kemi Badenoch, who said: "She is going to be replacing what they [local people] want with a requirement to meet 1.5m ugly houses instead."    Rayner waved her aside: "We will build homes at scale and they will be beautiful."  Quiz question How is Charlotte Aitchison better known? Answer at the bottom of today's email Support The Independent At The Independent, nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own mind and aren't afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.   With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. If you like what we do, do take out a subscription and help support the best quality online-only journalism. SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 6 MONTHS SUBSCRIBE: £1 FOR 6 MONTHS Daily briefing Angela Rayner's planning 'revolution' slashes house building target for London British Deputy prime minister cuts London target from 100,000 new homes a year to 80,000 Kim Sengupta, The Independent's award-winning war correspondent, dies He joined the newspaper in 1996 and died suddenly, aged 68 Labour has 'failed another generation of families' by ditching social care cap Sir Andrew Dilnot, author of change first proposed in 2011, says Rachel Reeves's U-turn is a 'tragedy' What else you need to know today More people support (47 per cent) than oppose (38 per cent) Rachel Reeves's plan to restrict winter fuel payments to pensioners on pension credit in England and Wales, according to a snap poll by YouGov    Get your questions in now for Andrew Grice's Ask Me Anything about electoral reform and proportional representation – live on Friday: I'm tempted to pitch in with my opposition to PR Rachel Reeves continued her dispute with Jeremy Hunt, the shadow chancellor, from yesterday by saying he had "lied" during the election campaign about the state of the public finances; I disapprove of such language The Independent View Rachel Reeves offers hard truths and hard solutions in hard places Politics explained What is the process for choosing a new Tory leader? Sean O'Grady runs through the rules and concludes that the contest is more open than it looks...   Read more MOST COMMENTED Outrage as peer claims Muslim 'radicals will take us over through power of the womb' A look back at the post-election Westminster bubble The Commons rises for its summer recess today  That is it for now. The new House of Commons has been sitting for 11 days since the election. Already about 140 of the 335 new MPs have made their first speeches (still quaintly known as "maiden" speeches).    The House has re-elected the speaker and elected three new deputies. The King opened parliament and delivered his speech outlining the new government's legislative programme. The government has already introduced 14 bills. Keir Starmer has appointed his cabinet, made a statement about the Nato and European summits, and faced his first Prime Minister's Questions.    Also, the government's majority of 174 has already been reduced to 160 by the suspension of seven Labour MPs for voting against the King's Speech. And the Conservative leadership campaign has begun.    Parliament, and this newsletter, will return on 2 September. QUOTATION OF THE DAY "I must say that she seems to be taking to opposition very naturally"   Angela Rayner's backhanded compliment to Kemi Badenoch, her shadow Quiz answer: Charli XCX The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy