Ben Cooper

"By tackling [housing costs] through comprehensive action, the government can make our country affordable again for everyone."

Read my article for @bigissue.com on why the government should prioritise making housing - and the private rented sector - affordable.

www.bigissue.com/opinion/priv...

Here's how the government can make private rent more affordable

The government can make our country affordable again for everyone. Ben Cooper, research manager at Fabian Housing Centre, writes.

Seems like a no-brainer way of addressing the housing crisis without damaging biodiversity, given that #golf courses take up twice as much land as all the current housing stock & are biodiversity deserts (that use huge amounts of water, put grass-treatment pollutants into watercourses...)
KUTGW

Ben Cooper column: 'Stop protecting golf courses, start building homes' - LabourList Golf courses serve one per cent of the population but take up vast amounts of land. In a housing crisis, Labour should be bold and build homes instead.

Voters want more homes and more accessible green spaces.

Building on golf courses is a way to deliver both.

The government should make this argument - and they can win it.

Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social

labourlist.org/2026/02/stop...

'The Labour ecosystem is thriving - and has the ideas that can ensure the government does too' - LabourList Labour’s affiliated think tanks and socialist societies are bursting with ideas. If the government wants to deliver real change, it must start drawing properly on the policy infrastructure already at ...

“The government can and should take full advantage of the work being done across this ecosystem”

@emmaburnell.bsky.social of @labourlist.bsky.social reflects on Fabian New Year Conference, and why the progressive policy space matters for Labour.

labourlist.org/2026/01/labo...

Making it easier to build houses, rail, streets is crucial part of social democracy, according to Olaf Scholz.

@thefabians.bsky.social

Introduced the Renewing Our Communities session @thefabians.bsky.social New Year Conference.

Spoke about the Housing Centre's work on affordability and building great places to live.

And it was great to hear from @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social + @sarahsackman.bsky.social

Many lessons from devolved governance in different countries:

1. Devolving is hard (eg France)
2. Coordination and respect are vital (eg Italy)
3. Fiscal devolution is essential (eg Germany)

The Devolution Bill is England's chance to do this properly.

Ben Cooper column: 'On housing, Labour should build a lasting legacy' - LabourList Government’s reforms mean thousands more homes being built across England. Their quality will be a testament to our values.

My latest column for @labourlist.bsky.social is about building desirable homes that last and meet the changing needs of the country. This means two things:

1) Every home must be accessible and adaptable
2) A Future Homes Standard that cuts energy bills

labourlist.org/2026/01/hous...

Great places to live | Fabian Society Fabian Society

“As the party that swept away slums, built new towns, and renewed housing estates, Labour should be committed to building great places to live”

You can read @bencooper1995.bsky.social's introduction to the edited collection here:

fabians.org.uk/great-places...

Great places to live | Fabian Society Fabian Society

My piece sets out how a vision of Great Places to Live is critical to building 1.5m homes, as it combines good policy and good politics.

fabians.org.uk/great-places...

Beyond numbers | Fabian Society Fabian Society

Today, @thefabians.bsky.social and the Fabian Housing Centre are publishing Beyond Numbers: Building Great Places to Live.

This edited collection looks at how to build attractive, high-quality homes in flourishing communities.

fabians.org.uk/publication/...

🚨 New Edited Collection 🚨


“Building 1.5m new homes is crucial for the future of this country”

@bencooper1995.bsky.social introduces “Beyond Numbers”, which explores how we can build high-quality homes and develop flourishing communities 🌳🏠

Hear from Brad in the Fabian events team about what is coming up at New Year Conference: Renewing Britain 👇

📅 Saturday 24 January
📍 Central London
📢 Speakers include @wesstreeting, @Ed_Miliband, @LucyMPowell and many more
🚨 PLUS a very special guest keynote speaker

Rural futures | Fabian Society Fabian Society

Want to know what rural voters really care about and what should the government do?

@thefabians.bsky.social have got you covered

Here’s our recent set of essays, led by
@bencooper1995.bsky.social discussing rural priorities: housing, buses, tourism, energy and more

fabians.org.uk/publication/...

A fantastic achievement that will improve rights for many.

In the new year, we'll be looking at next steps.

But for now, a lot of people who have worked incredibly hard on this can finally celebrate.

www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/the-gov...

There is a need to address quality and accessibility if our housing stock is to meet the needs of an ageing society

The benefits are significant for NHS, cost of living and downsizing

Read Millie Brown from @ageingbetter.bsky.social and I for
@insidehousing.bsky.social on how we can do this 👇

New paper out today:

‘We need to speak collectively’: can parliament solve the problem of ‘deprivation bingo’ in the UK’s seaside towns? Labour knows it needs to win over the ‘sea wall’ cohort of coastal voters in the next election. But as anger over inequality grows, time is running out

It is great to see the Guardian focus on the Sea Wall and coastal voters.

I spoke about how good policy isn't enough.

"There is a feeling of disconnect in many of these places, and unless they tackle that, Labour will still struggle.”

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Ben Cooper column: 'Cost of living will decide Labour’s fate in 'sea wall' communities - LabourList Labour’s newly won coastal seats are slipping away to Reform. Improving living standards and rebuilding trust are key to winning back the ‘Sea Wall'

labourlist.org/2025/11/cost...

The Sea Wall matters to Labour

They are looking to Reform, but the government can win them back

There should be a relentless focus on the cost of living

But the Gov needs to show the country values the contribution that coastal communities make

Read my column for @labourlist.bsky.social 👇

Ben Cooper column: ‘Cost of living will decide Labour’s fate in ‘sea wall’ communities – LabourList At the last election, Labour won an unprecedented victory across the ‘Sea Wall’, a group of 105 coastal town constituencies across England and Wales. The…

The 'sea wall' is emblematic of the kinds of communities Labour must deliver for. The cost of living is what will matter there argues @bencooper1995.bsky.social in his latest column

The never-failing spring | Fabian Society Fabian Society

Great to see more investment so every school can have a library.

My first article for @thefabians.bsky.social Review in 2019(!) called for school libraries in every school.

fabians.org.uk/the-never-fa...

Forward Planning recommends:

🏠 Requiring all new homes to be accessible and adaptable
🏡 Introducing a wheelchair accessible target for new homes
🪛 Ensure access to trusted housing repair and adaptation
services

fabians.org.uk/wp-content/u...

'Homes for the ages' - LabourList As Labour delivers its ambition to “Build baby build!”, let’s build accessible and adaptable homes that will last the test of time.

England needs to ensure its homes are fit for an ageing population.

Great to see @annadixonmp.bsky.social mention Forward Planning, my report for @thefabians.bsky.social, in her excellent @labourlist.bsky.social piece.

labourlist.org/2025/11/anna...

Today I have started my new role as a Senior Researcher at @thefabians.bsky.social

I’m excited to get started developing new ideas and to continue (my longtime passion of) thinking about the future of the Left.

New Year Conference: Renewing Britain | Fabian Society Fabian Society

Book your place now, or join the Fabian Society to receive your free ticket! 👇

fabians.org.uk/event/new-ye...

📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain

We're pleased to announce that @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social, Minister for Housing and Planning will be joining us at the Fabian Society New Year Conference!

And here we also recommend a living standards task force, to report in to such a committee: