Rishi Sunak announces £11.5bn to build 180,000 affordable homes including 160,000 new homes on brownfield land

RISHI Sunak today revealed plans for 180,000 affordable homes as part of his bumper autumn 2021 Budget.

An £11.5billion pot has been set aside for the properties - which includes 160,000 on brownfield land.

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They will be constructed on "neglected" previously developed sites - equivalent to 2,000 football pitches.

Cash will also be spent on improving transport links, schools and other public areas.

The money forms part of the settlement for Michael Gove’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

It will help the government reach its target of building 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.

Last year alone a total of 244,000 were constructed - the highest in 12 months for 34 years.

The Chancellor made the announcement during today's Budget, which he described as "looking to the future and building a stronger economy for the British people".

🔵 Read our Budget 2021 live blog for live updates

Elsewhere he revealed that "unloved and neglected" urban spaces will be turned into more than 100 "pocket parks" in towns and cities across the country as part of a £9million scheme.

These tennis court-sized spaces will "improve the physical and mental health of our communities".

In total, about £300million will be spent by local authorities and regional mayors.

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Mr Sunak said: "We are investing in better quality, safer, greener and more affordable homes to create thriving places where people want to live.

"One of my favourite pastimes is to go for walks in the park with my family, and I want to make sure everyone has green space on their doorstep to enjoy too.

"Transforming our unloved and neglected urban spaces will help protect our cherished countryside and green spaces, while improving the physical and mental health of our communities."

Key Budget announcements include:

• A wage boost for millions of public sector workers as the pay freeze is scrapped
• A freeze of HGV tax to help end the supply crisis
• A rise in the minimum wage to £9.50 in a hike for two million Brits
• A further £6bn to clear the NHS backlog that's groaning after lockdown
• A new £5bn pot for research and development into health
• A £2bn boost to build houses on brownfield land equivalent to 2,000 footie pitches
• A £3bn skills funding with more bootcamp places for youngsters
• Half a billion pounds to sharpen up maths skills for 500,000 adults
• Funding for up to 8,000 new sports pitches and 300 scout huts
• A culture boost with £850m pumped into museums and galleries
• An extra £435m to cut crime with more CCTV, street lights and help for victims
• A further £700m to bolster border controls and fund a fleet to patrol migrant boats