Rayner concedes 'slim chance' government will hit target of 1.5m new homes

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has acknowledged the government is unlikely to build its promised 1.5 million new homes in England before the next election.

• Rayner told the BBC there was only a "slim chance" the government would meet its manifesto target of building 1.5 million homes by the next election.
• Rayner said the pledge was a "stretch target" that was not being dropped, insisting "I'm definitely not giving it up."
• Rayner said Prime Minister Andy Burnham wanted the government to focus on building council houses, which he had made "absolutely, fundamentally clear."
• The government has announced £10bn for a social and affordable homes programme to build 70,000 homes outside London, about 60% of them social rented homes.