The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) praised Sir Keir Starmer's contribution to planning reform, while urging his successor to prioritise certainty and stability for planners, investors and housing developers.

Rachel Fisher, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: "Sir Keir Starmer took office with a clear economic mission: to reform the planning system and get Britain building. Under his leadership, planning has moved to the heart of England's economic, housing and infrastructure ambitions, with major reforms introduced over the past two years.

"The RTPI has developed a great working relationship across the government, including work on the revised National Planning Policy Framework, Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, and Planning and Infrastructure Act.

“While we are entering a time of political uncertainty, what we need is policy continuity.  Whoever succeeds Keir Starmer must provide planners, investors and housing developers with the certainty and clarity they need to deliver. That means fewer reforms, fewer policy tweaks, and a sustained focus on implementation. The priority now should be making the system work consistently and effectively, rather than continually redesigning it."