Good news that the government will now prioritise inner urban areas for housebuilding - something I have argued for.

Quick thread with 3 reasons this is a good thing:

First, and most important, that's where the affordability problem is. If you look at housing costs as a share of income, it's highest in the core parts of our large cities.

(NB Total housing cost/total income, as below, is a much better measure than earnings / house price)

The same is apparent if we look at measures of overcrowding - the problem is in the inner parts of our large cities.

Second, the environment: In cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester, household emissions average 15% lower than average, & transport emissions are *35%* lower: there's more walking, more cycling & more public transport.

Less sprawl means less time getting caught in traffic jams getting in & out of cities & so less pollution. But Britain currently has among the least dense cities in Europe

Third, the housebuilding model in the UK (developer led, fast turn) has delivered lots on greenfield sites in recent decades but has done v badly at delivering in our cities. Hopefully we can now fix that, with a more European approach & more regeneration, and revive our cities.