Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jas Bhalla
Whipped up by election slogans, the housing debate is turning toxic
In January this year, colleagues and I attended an event with the now former Minister for Housing, Lee Rowley. During a largely convivial exchange with a group of disgruntled, but by no means disenfranchised planners, the now former MP linked the UK’s housing crisis to ‘mass immigration’.
I can’t believe we are having to say this, again, but immigrants aren’t taking your houses
In January this year, Vicky Payne and I attended an event with the now former Minister for Housing, Lee Rowley. During a largely convivial exchange with a group of disgruntled, but by no means disenfranchised planners, the now former MP linked our housing crisis to “mass immigration”.
Step out of your comfort zone and help deliver Labour’s New Towns
Dressed in obligatory PPE, last week Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner announced Labour’s plans to create a new designation – ‘grey belt’ – to release poor-quality green belt land for the development of much-needed new homes. Labour also reiterated its commitment to deliver the next generation of new towns – communities and places characterised by beautiful homes, green infrastructure, strong public transport connectivity and bustling high streets.
Take the party politics out of planning and housing policies
Planning, housing and infrastructure have never been more salient political issues – and for good reason. The UK may have recovered economically from Covid earlier than thought, but as a country we are not well. We are ailed by the significant and competing challenges of affordability, productivity and climate breakdown. Where Labour might once have prescribed public spending, a challenging fiscal picture has led them to join the Conservatives in calling for growth.
Here’s what a design code can’t do, minister
By Jas Bhalla2021-02-05T07:00:00 There are some fundamental issues the government must address before its new model design code can make any difference, writes Jas Bhalla When the idea of a national design code was first mooted, I like many others questioned how useful a guide covering development across England could be.
If the Tories want to fix the housing crisis, they need to think regionally
This month marks seven months since the re-launch of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Back in March, Prime Minister Theresa May addressed an audience of town planners, urban designers, and developers promising to reform the system to promote more equal access to housing.
To solve the housing crisis, we need to rethink transport and regeneration, too
The government’s long awaited Housing White Paper was finally published last week. Its central premise was that there is no single solution to the UK’s notorious housing problem: increasing the delivery of private rented stock, coercing local authorities to build more, and greater support for SME builders are all strategies outlined by Sajid Javid. The government’s willingness to pursue many different solutions should be praised.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jas
Contact Jas, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack