Building of three new towns will start before election, Labour pledges7 minutes ago Share Save Becky Morton Political reporter Share SavePA Media Housing Secretary Steve Reed is expected to set out the plans in a speech at Labour's party conferenceThe construction of three new towns will begin before the next general election, Labour has pledged. The promise of a "new generation of new towns" was included in Labour's election manifesto last year. The government has welcomed a recommendation from the New Towns Taskforce that at least 40% of these new homes should be classed as affordable housing. "My Labour government will sweep aside the blockers to get homes built, building the next generation of new towns." In his speech, the housing secretary will promise to "build baby build", while "taking lessons from the post-war Labour government housing boom".