Live from The Rally
All the updates from our Homes for Britain Rally in Westminster on 17 March, as they happened.
18:20
And that brings the Homes for Britain rally to a close! Thank you to all of our speakers, relayers, attendees and everyone else that made today possible. It’s been an amazing day.
The housing crisis affects people from all walks of life and all parts of the country and that’s never been more obvious than today.
Thank you for supporting
18:17
We will not accept any more excuses for not building more homes, says David Orr.
18:13
We won’t let government say there’s not enough land to end the housing crisis, says David Orr.
18:11
We need to make so much noise around housing leading up to the general election, says David Orr.
18:10
Finally, David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation takes the stage to close today’s rally.
18:05
You can only win difficult arguments by sticking at it, says Jonathan Dimbleby
18:04
Conservatives commit to end the housing crisis within a generation and produce a plan with a yr of taking office – Grant Shapps.
18:00
It’s true that we must end the housing crisis within a generation, says Grant Shapps.
17:57
Council houses are being built at the highest level in 23 years, says Grant Shapps.
17:50
Grant Shapps – “Housing has always been close to my heart.”
17:42
17:40
The public don’t care how housing is delivered, says Deborah Mattinson, just that it is delivered.
17:32
Housing as a political issue is imbued with pessimism and that’s a problem, says Deborah Mattinson.
17:27
Solutions to the housing crisis are simple, they’re just hard to deliver, says Tim Montgomerie.
17:22
“It’s not just a crisis, it’s a scandal!” says Guardian columnist, Owen Jones.
17:17
Lib Dems would provide tenancy deposit loans to people under 30 says Edward Davey.
17:13
The Lib Dems will commit to end the housing crisis within a generation, says Edward Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton.
17:08
“I had a good job, home, social life but I suddenly lost my job and found myself on the streets.”
16:45
The Old Dirty Brasstards are back on stage for the interval. Stay tuned for the second half!
16:42
We need a real debate about rent caps, we need a living rent says Caroline Lucas.
16:41
Letting agents need to be licensed and we need to scrap letting agents fees, says Caroline Lucas.
16:38
Having a comfortable home helped David succeed through tough times.
16:35
Former Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas has now taken the stage.
16:29
It’s not possible to sustain a future without a home, explains Maz Ahmed from The Youth Homeless Parliament.
16:22
The average age of death when you’re homeless is just 48 says Matthew Downie, Director of Policy & External Affairs at Crisis UK.
16:18
Houses aren’t made for homes anymore, they’re investments. We’re Dubai On Thames, says Ken Loach.
16:12
It’s much worse now than when I made Cathy Come Home, says legendary film director Ken Loach.
16:08
We need a new Cathy Come Home moment. One that leads to the transformational change we need.
16:05
is now trending in sixth place in the UK!
15:58
“You asked us for a plan to end the housing crisis within a yr of taking office. Well we’ve already got one,” says Labour MP, Hilary Benn.
15:56
“It’s about building the right homes, for the right people”
15:50
There are 50 days until the general election, 50 days to determine the next 5 years, says Rhian Kelly.
15:47
Plots, planning and partnerships will help end the housing crisis, says Rhian Kelly.
15:39
“We’re proud to support “, says Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary.
15:32
“We’re building just half the homes we need each year”, says James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester
15:25
“I’m living at home, saving a deposit for a flat but I can’t see light at the end of the tunnel.”
15:24
UKIP wants to see a brownfield revolution, starting with decontamination grants, says Nigel Farage.
15:21
UKIP would help by dampening the demand for housing in the UK, says Nigel Farage
15:20
UKIP leader Nigel Farage is welcomed on stage by RLA Chairman Alan Ward.
15:07
You believe in green space and so do I but homes matter, says Jonathan Dimbleby.
15:00
“Virtually everybody under 40 years of age has got a housing problem”
The opening video has just been played at the Rally.
14:57
Jonathan Dimbleby tells us why he’s at the rally today.
14:55
Our House sung by the Choir With No Name.
Our House sung by the for
— Homes for Britain (@HomesforBritain)
14:50
TV Agony Aunt Denise Robertson is one of many supporters at the rally.
14:42
Campbell Robb, CEO of Shelter arrives at the Homes For Britain rally.
14:33
The rally has officially kicked off with the Old Dirty Brasstards playing Crazy in Love!
The rally kicks off with — Homes for Britain (@HomesforBritain)
14:24
We’re trending again on ! Thanks for all your support so far, keep up the good work.
14:21
People from across housing are currently filing into the Methodist Central Hall to call for an end to the housing crisis.
14:12
If you’re at Westminster Central Hall make sure you take a Number 10 selfie and share on using
14:08
The hall is filling up fast! Not long until the Rally officially starts.
13:48
Today’s inflatable house on Parliament Hill.
An affordable house shouldn’t be out of reach.
13:24
The amazing Relay to the Rally participants just before the finish line.
11.35
Still time to sign up to the #homesforbritain Thunderclap – to help our message get heard even wider.
10.03
Getting ready to welcome 2,500 people to Westminster for the biggest housing rally in a generation
