Chief Secretary to the Treasury visits Aspire
3 April 2025
"Housing associations across the country like Aspire are ready to crack on building homes that will transform the lives of families long awaiting safe and affordable housing and help build resilient communities.
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, visited Aspire Housing to hear how plans for over 100 new homes can now move forward following £2billion of new capital investment for affordable housing announced last week.
Ahead of the Spending Review, PlaceShapers shared examples from around the country of how government funding has unlocked home building, setting out the impact of the critical role of housing-led regeneration in making the commitment to a decade of national renewal a reality.
Local MP Adam Jogee and the Chief Secretary visited Silkworks in Newcastle-under-Lyme to learn how 91 new homes for affordable rent and social rent are being built. In the same town, Aspire also has one site ready to start building, and a further two ready to progress through the planning process.
Rt Hon Darren Jones MP said: "We are fixing the housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. This investment will help drive growth through our Plan for Change by delivering up to 18,000 new homes across the country, helping to get working people and families into secure homes and onto the housing ladder, and creating jobs and opportunities.”
Adam Jogee, Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme said: ""This new funding is making a real difference to local people right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It will help Aspire get moving with their projects and plans, provide desperately needed affordable housing and boost our local economy."
Meeting apprentices at Silkworks
Sinéad Butters, Chief Executive of Aspire Housing, said: “We greatly welcome this new injection of funding into social housing, which will help us fulfil our commitment to provide safe, decent and affordable homes. Over the next few years, we plan to build almost 500 homes, which we hope, in some small way, helps to tackle the housing crisis. These homes are much needed in our communities, and will act as a catalyst for regeneration, helping people live in safe, decent, affordable and sustainable homes. We are raring to go to make these dreams a reality – and the Affordable Housing Programme will be the key that makes this happen.
“We were delighted to welcome the Chief Secretary to our Silkworks at Cross Street site during his visit to our borough. With a £23million investment, this site will introduce 91 new homes for affordable rent and social rent into Newcastle-under-Lyme, helping to meet the growing need for housing, and providing homes that will benefit local families and communities for generations to come.”
Catherine Ryder, Chief Executive of PlaceShapers, said: "Housing associations across the country like Aspire are ready to crack on building homes that will transform the lives of families long awaiting safe and affordable housing and help build resilient communities.
"The £2bn down payment ahead of the Spending Review and government support for social housing as a driver of economic growth is fundamental to unlocking this pent-up building programme."
Catherine Ryder and Rt Hon Darren Jones MP
Last week the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister announced up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes will be built with a £2 billion injection of investment to deliver the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, a significant milestone on the Government’s promise to build 1.5 million new homes whilst driving economic growth by getting Britain building again.
The £2 billion investment boost comes as a down payment from the Treasury ahead of more long-term investment in social and affordable housing planned later this year.
At the conclusion of the current Spending Review process on 11 June 2025, the Government will announce further long-term investment into the sector in England.