It’s been almost a year since Labour swept to power in a landslide general election victory. With a strong mandate for change and a promise to reshape the economic and housing landscape, the party’s first 12 months have been closely watched by industries across the UK—including property, planning, and investment.
But what has really changed? How have Labour’s policies affected the economy—and in turn, the UK housing market? Are we seeing early signs of a new direction, or is the sector still navigating old challenges?
To answer these vital questions, LRG is hosting a flagship panel session at UKREiiF 2025 that brings together industry leaders and economic experts for a frank, forward-looking conversation on Labour’s first year in office—and what it means for professionals working across the built environment.
📅 Thursday 22nd May
🕙 10:00AM – 11:00AM
📍 LRG Pavilion, UKREiiF 2025
A panel of influential voices
This session will be hosted by Michael Cook, Chief Executive Officer of LRG who will be joined by a distinguished panel:
• David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times, known for his sharp analysis and deep insights into UK fiscal policy.
• Kate Faulkner OBE, Chair of the Home Buying & Selling Group, an expert on consumer housing trends and housing market reform.
• Christian Balshen, Director of Agency Partnerships at Rightmove, with data-driven insight into buyer demand, market sentiment, and agency behaviour.
Together, they’ll explore how the Government’s approach to housing, taxation, planning reform, and investment has influenced the wider economy and reshaped the property market.
Kate Faulkner OBE says, "It's rarely mentioned that a lot of the housing market actually works, albeit that there are some easy fixes that can be done to make it work much better. However, it doesn't work for everyone and it's those that are struggling to put a roof over their head that really need help. We can deliver, but it's going to take a huge amount of public and private sector collaboration, alongside existing homeowners to fix our housing crisis."
Why this session matters
The first year of any new Government is critical. It sets the tone, direction, and political priorities that will define the years ahead. For businesses in real estate, planning, housing delivery, and investment, understanding these early impacts is essential for shaping strategy and spotting opportunities.
This panel session will cover:
• The macroeconomic picture: Labour’s fiscal policy, inflation control, and public spending priorities
• The housing market outlook: Trends in supply, demand, affordability, and homeownership
• Planning and regulation: What’s changed under Labour—and what’s still to come
• Consumer and investor confidence: Insights from buyer behaviour and sentiment
• Opportunities and risks: For developers, agents, landlords, and investors
Whether you’re an investor, developer, planner, housing association, or local authority, this is your chance to hear directly from the people shaping and analysing the sector—so you can make more informed decisions in 2025 and beyond.
Join the conversation at UKREiiF
LRG is proud to be a Pavilion Partner at UKREiiF 2025, bringing together experts from across its professional services to explore the future of property and placemaking. This panel is part of a packed programme of insight sessions taking place across the three-day event.
