Sunak promises new focus on inner-city housebuilding projects

PM vows to avoid concreting over the countryside' as Michael Gove prepares to set out housing initiative

Inner-city areas will be the focus of new housebuilding projects, Rishi Sunak has announced, in a move designed to signal sympathy with those struggling to get on the property ladder but avoid a backlash from Tory MPs.

The prime minister promised not to concrete over the countryside", before a speech by the housing secretary, Michael Gove, who will set out changes on Monday to help homeowners extend their properties and streamline the planning process.