A government source tells the BBC the increasing size of the civil service cannot continue.

Around 1.3million families are on waiting lists for social housing and almost 160,000 children are living in temporary accommodation - the highest figure on record

Keir Starmer has vowed to override planning "blockers" with sweeping changes that could see building on parts of England's green belt.

Headcount has grown in Whitehall for eight years in a row, with huge numbers of officials taken on to deal with Brexit and Covid, and it currently stands at around 513,000.

The Deputy Prime Minister will vow to rip up the 'broken' planning system, saying it 'caves in to the blockers and obstructs the builders'.

A charity said councils can do more to bring these homes back into use.

Matthew Pennycook says development will be focused on areas where housing is least affordable.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the Government is 'absolutely willing' to step in an impose housing plans if councils refuse to do so as part of a bid to deliver 1.5million homes