ECHR Could Block Labour’s Housing Plans
One of Starmer and Reeves’ key messages as they entered Downing Street was clear: build, build, build. To many YIMBYs it was a relief to hear Labour signalling the drive to build new houses – their target isn’t small either, planning to build 1.5 million homes in the next 5 years. Though it looks like Starmer’s beloved European Court of Human Rights may end up getting in the way…
Now lawyers are warning that these plans could risk breaching human rights law over the government’s proposal to reduce compensation to landowners forced to hand over their assets. Tom Barton, a partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya, told The Telegraph:
“The ECHR protects the right to peaceful enjoyment of one’s possessions and respect for your right to a home, and capping compensation at ‘existing use value’ could be considered an infringement on this right. If this is a reform the Government is serious about pursuing, the likelihood of challenge is high.”
It’s not the only Labour plan that the Strasbourg court could block – Labour have also been warned that their VAT raid on private schools is “likely illegal”. The ECHR has long been a hot topic of debate – Sunak had said he’d consider leaving the court if it blocked flights to Rwanda, while Starmer has pledged to “never leave” it. Yesterday Nigel Farage called for a referendum on leaving the court. Starmer will soon have to get to grips with the fact that delivering on his promises is more difficult than he may have thought…