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  • PRESS RELEASE : AI tool to slash planning decision times as government accelerates push to build 1.5 million homes [June 2026]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI tool to slash planning decision times as government accelerates push to build 1.5 million homes [June 2026]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 June 2026.

    Millions of homeowners could benefit from faster planning decisions, as 2 new AI tools are unveiled to modernise England’s planning permission system.

    • New AI prototype that aims to halve decision times for routine planning applications is now being tested in three English counties
    • Smart use of AI will support plans to modernise England’s planning system and build 1.5 million homes this Parliament
    • Complements existing AI that converts decades of historic planning records into digital data in minutes, which is now available to every council in England

    Millions of homeowners waiting for permission to extend their homes, convert lofts or make other improvements could see faster decisions, with 2 new AI tools unveiled today (Wednesday 17 June) to modernise England’s planning system.

    The first is a new AI prototype that aims to halve the time it takes to process householder planning applications – down from 8, to 4 weeks in an average case.

    It is in early stage testing with Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils. The prototype triages applications, summarises key information and provides planning officers with an initial assessment they can consider when making their decision. It has been created by government together with Google DeepMind, Google Cloud, Faculty and local planning authorities.

    The second is that another tool, Extract, is now available to all councils in England as promised by the Prime Minister last year.  It uses AI to help planning officers convert decades-old planning documents and maps, sometimes with handwritten notes, into readily useable data in minutes.

    Householder applications account for nearly 70% of planning applications each year. By reducing the time spent on straightforward cases, the prototype being tested in Barnet, Camden and Dorset could help planning officers focus more on complex applications, including new housing and major developments communities rely on.

    If successful, the technology will be rolled out nationwide by 2027 – with every assessment reviewed and approved by a qualified planning officer before any decision is made.

    The announcement marks another step in the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and use technology to improve public services.

    Minister for Data and Modern Digital Government Ian Murray said:

    When someone wants to add a bedroom or convert their loft, they shouldn’t be waiting months for a straightforward decision. And planning officers shouldn’t be spending hours digging through decades of paper records when making the decisions that really matter.

    These tools give planning officers better support to make quicker decisions – and give families the answers they deserve, faster.

    This isn’t about replacing the expertise and judgement of planning professionals; it’s about taking admin off their desks so they can focus on the skilled work their communities need most.

    Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

    Our planning system remains heavily reliant on cumbersome paper-based processes that consume the time of expert planning officers and cause delays on even the most routine types of application.

    We are dragging the system into the twenty-first century by harnessing the power of AI to streamline the planning application process, freeing up planners to make quicker and better decisions and reducing unnecessary delays.

    Cllr Ross Houston, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration at Barnet Council, said:

    Barnet has one of the busiest Planning Departments in the country. This new AI-Augmented Planning Decisions tool could significantly reduce the time it takes the council to process householder planning applications submitted by residents. Early participation in this programme has given Barnet a direct influence on the design and development of the tool, which could fundamentally change how planning decisions are supported across England. It is also an important opportunity to gain hands‑on experience of AI‑assisted planning.

    From today, Extract is now available to all local planning authorities in England. It will slash the estimated 250,000 hours a year spent by planning officers manually checking these documents. Digitising and publishing these documents, as data, helps officers and the public access high-quality planning data more easily, and create the right foundation for the next generation of tools that could dramatically reduce delays that plague the system.

    Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on checking old documents. For every application, planning officers must check the local planning rules that apply, many of which are hidden away in hundreds of pages of documents, before reaching a decision.

    This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process, reduce costs and save time for councils and developers.

    It comes as the government laid regulations in Parliament earlier this month to overhaul planning committees – speeding up decisions on small planning applications, such as larger home extensions and loft conversions, through a new National Scheme of Delegation. 

    Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty, CTO of Accenture, said:

    For decades, England’s gummed up planning system has slowed families seeking simple home improvements – like new windows, or attic conversions.

    By using AI to support planning officers with clear recommendations – with humans retaining final sign off – we will help cut approval times on simple renovations in half.

    This will give councils more time and resource to focus on the bigger infrastructure projects that will improve communities and drive economic growth.

    Lila Ibrahim, Chief AI Readiness Officer, Google DeepMind said:  ​​​

    The UK has an opportunity to build the homes our communities need, but local councils face a mountain of paperwork.

    That’s why we’re co-creating a sophisticated planning tool directly with councils to solve real-world bottlenecks. This will help significantly cut decision times, freeing up planners to focus on the future to get Britain building faster.

    Following trials across 20 local planning authorities in England including Exeter and Hillingdon, Extract is expected to save the average council around 255 hours of manual work digesting documents into digital form. This is down from more than 500 – giving staff more valuable time back to focus on complex work that delivers value for the communities they serve.

    Last year the Prime Minister announced that Extract would be made available to every local planning authority in England by Spring 2026 – today the government is delivering on that commitment.  

    Extract was developed by the government’s expert applied AI team, the Incubator for AI (i.AI), working with MHCLG’s Digital Planning programme. You can read more about i.AI’s work on https://ai.gov.uk/.

    Notes to editors 

    APD is being developed under an MHCLG contract with Google  Cloud, Google DeepMind, and UK AI company Faculty as delivery partners. Alpha trials began in May 2026.

    MHCLG is funding APD (Augmented Planning Decisions) with an £8.2million contract with Google Cloud, Google DeepMind and delivery partner Faculty.

    Subject to successful results, the government expects to expand trials to up to 10 additional councils later in 2026, with national rollout planned from 2027.

    You can find out more about Extract at: Extract – Check and provide your planning data including a video demonstration. It is available for use by local authorities.. It is a specialist tool to support planning officers and council workers; it does not replace them.

    As part of Extract’s rollout, the goal is that three national planning datasets – Article 4 Directions, Conservation Areas, and Tree Preservation Orders – will be published on the Planning Data Platform.

    AI support for householder applications will help planning officers to make recommendations; people will remain the final decision makers.

    Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted in England every year. Householder applications make up the majority of local planning authority workloads.

    Maureen Costello, Vice President, UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa, at Google Cloud said:

    True digital transformation happens when advanced innovation is built on a resilient, secure foundation. Google Cloud is proud to partner with the UK Government to bring AI out of the lab and into production-ready public services to deliver faster outcomes for councils nationwide.

    Graham Stallwood, Interim Chief Executive at the Planning Inspectorate said: 

    The Planning Inspectorate is following closely the work being led by MHCLG and Local Authorities to enable greater use of new AI-enabled tools like Extract and the Augmented Planning Decisions Prototype. 

     AI guidance provided by the Planning Inspectorate upholds public and professional responsibility for the information generated and supports human control and oversight. We will keep our guidance under review to maintain this ‘golden rule’ for AI use, as this technology improves and we understand more about the impact on any casework.

    Mike Keily, Chair of the Planning Officers Society said:

    The Planning Officers Society welcomes this key announcement along our Digital Planning journey. Extract is a game changing tool as it unlocks the data trapped in PDFs and makes it available in digital form to be used by AI and other systems. We look forward to future announcements from MHCLG as their investment bears fruit.

    Sarah McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) said:  

    ADEPT welcomes digital advancements that support efficiency, transparency and effective decision-making. By embracing innovative technologies, local authorities can streamline processes and deliver improved outcomes for communities and businesses. Digital innovation enables more collaborative, accessible and future-focused planning, helping towns and communities adapt to changing needs, while supporting economic growth, environmental responsibility and high-quality place-making.

    Dr Wei Yang OBE, CEO at the Digital Task Force for Planning said:

    High-quality, standardised planning data is essential for a modern planning system. Extract can help local planning authorities accelerate the transition from document-based processes to data-enabled planning by making it easier to convert existing planning information into usable digital data. This represents an important step forward in improving efficiency, transparency and evidence-based decision-making across the planning system.

    Rachel Fisher, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said:

    While some of the UK’s planning departments are ahead of the digital curve, not everyone is applying the most up-to-date technology. ‘Extract’ will therefore be a refreshing update to a local planning authority’s toolbox, which can sometimes feel out of date and unfit for purpose in today’s digital landscape.

    With the ability to draw on robust datasets, this new tool could help planners make better-informed decisions. While a planner’s work should never be fully autonomous, tools that help alleviate pressure from hard-working local authorities while helping planners deliver better outcomes for their communities are always welcome.

    RIBA President, Chris Williamson, said:

    Given our research at the end of last year showed that 80% of practices were experiencing significant project delays due to planning system backlogs, with over 10% abandoning projects entirely, we welcome the Government’s willingness to experiment with AI to help speed up applications. This is an exciting opportunity for local planning authorities to benefit from the efficiencies AI can bring to digitise applications, while maintaining the critical human oversight of architects and planners within teams to ensure high-design quality.

  • NEWS STORY : Government Faces Fresh Questions Over Troubled Social Media Ban

    NEWS STORY : Government Faces Fresh Questions Over Troubled Social Media Ban

    STORY

    The Government is facing fresh questions over its planned ban on social media access for under-16s after Ofcom warned that it needs more resources and clearer legal definitions to enforce the policy. The ban is due to come into force from spring 2027 and would prevent major social media platforms from offering services to children under 16.

    The Times reported that Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s director of online safety, had raised concerns about the practical challenges of enforcing the ban, including the need for clarity over which services would be covered. Questions have also been raised over how platforms will verify the age of younger users, with ministers expected to set out further details on age-checking measures in the coming months.

    The policy has also drawn concern from the advertising and technology sectors. The Guardian reported that the ban could lead to a £1.3 billion fall in UK digital advertising spend, with platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook expected to lose access to a significant teenage audience. Ministers have said the measure is needed to protect children online, but the latest concerns add to scrutiny over whether the legislation can be implemented effectively and questions on whether a rushed timetable would lead to mistakes.

  • NEWS STORY : Liberal Democrats Urge Labour to Change Course on EU Relations

    NEWS STORY : Liberal Democrats Urge Labour to Change Course on EU Relations

    STORY

    The Liberal Democrats have urged Labour to change its approach to relations with the European Union, calling for the UK to rejoin the single market through the European Free Trade Association and negotiate a new customs union with the bloc. Ed Davey is expected to argue that the Government’s current position is too limited to deliver major economic benefits.

    The party has said Labour should drop its red lines on the single market and customs union, arguing that Brexit continues to affect trade, labour supply and the wider economy. The proposal would involve politically difficult questions, including the issue of free movement, which EU officials have consistently linked to full single market participation.

    Labour has rejected rejoining the single market or customs union and has instead pursued more limited agreements with the EU, including cooperation on food and veterinary checks, professional qualifications and security. The debate comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum and amid renewed scrutiny of the economic consequences of leaving the EU.

  • NEWS STORY : BBC Faces Questions After Ashley Cain Misogyny Claims

    NEWS STORY : BBC Faces Questions After Ashley Cain Misogyny Claims

    STORY

    The BBC is facing further questions over its vetting of presenters after the Guardian reported that Ashley Cain had previously used abusive and misogynistic language about women on social media. Cain presents the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone, which was commissioned for a second series after the corporation praised his ability to connect with young male audiences.

    The Guardian said Cain had used offensive terms about women in posts on X, formerly Twitter, before he began working with the BBC. The newspaper also reported that he had sent abusive messages to female users and made remarks about violence and degrading sexual behaviour. Cain did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment, while the BBC said it expected high standards from everyone working with or for the corporation and would consider the information carefully.

    The report comes after a series of controversies involving BBC presenters and follows an external review of BBC workplace culture, which found that unacceptable behaviour by a minority of people within the corporation was not always addressed. The Guardian said the revelations could create an early test for the BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin, who joined the corporation last month.

  • NEWS STORY : British Council Faces Further Cuts Over Covid-Era Loan, Watchdog Says

    NEWS STORY : British Council Faces Further Cuts Over Covid-Era Loan, Watchdog Says

    STORY

    The British Council faces further job losses and the possible closure of operations in 11 countries as it works to repay a £197 million Covid-era Government loan, according to reporting on a National Audit Office assessment. The organisation, which promotes UK culture and education overseas, has faced continuing financial pressure since the pandemic.

    The watchdog said the British Council remained loss-making and was not expected to return to profit until 2029-30. The loan was provided after the pandemic severely affected income from exams, teaching and other services which had previously helped fund the organisation’s international work.

    The findings raise further questions about the future funding of one of the UK’s main soft-power institutions. The British Council operates at arm’s length from Government but relies on public support as well as commercial income to maintain cultural, educational and diplomatic activity overseas.

  • NEWS STORY : Swiss Poll Shows Support for New EU Agreement

    NEWS STORY : Swiss Poll Shows Support for New EU Agreement

    STORY

    A new poll in Switzerland has found support for a proposed agreement to deepen economic ties with the European Union by a margin of around two to one. The agreement would represent one of the most significant changes in Swiss-EU relations for a generation.

    The package covers areas including state aid, transport, free movement and the way Switzerland updates EU-linked laws connected to access to the single market. The agreement has been under discussion in the Swiss Parliament and would be put to voters in a referendum if approved by lawmakers.

    The Swiss People’s Party opposes the deal, citing concerns about EU bureaucracy, wages and immigration. Supporters argue that stable relations with the EU are important for Swiss businesses, including the pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on access to European markets.

  • NEWS STORY : MEPs Advance Tougher EU Returns Policy

    NEWS STORY : MEPs Advance Tougher EU Returns Policy

    STORY

    MEPs have considered the final vote on reforms to EU returns policy, after a provisional agreement was reached with the Council on rules for third-country nationals who do not have the right to remain in the bloc. The proposal is part of a wider effort to strengthen the implementation of return decisions across member states.

    The reform would create new obligations for people subject to return procedures to cooperate with national authorities. It also provides for detention of up to 24 months in some cases, strengthens mutual recognition of return decisions across the EU and allows the use of return hubs in non-EU countries.

    Supporters of the reform argue that common rules are needed to improve the effectiveness of returns and reduce fragmentation between member states. Civil liberties groups and some MEPs have raised concerns about detention, access to safeguards and the potential use of third-country centres.

  • NEWS STORY : European Parliament Approves EU-US Trade Deal

    NEWS STORY : European Parliament Approves EU-US Trade Deal

    STORY

    The European Parliament has approved legislation implementing the European Union’s trade commitments under its agreement with the United States. The vote gives parliamentary backing to tariff changes intended to avoid a further escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.

    The package removes or reduces EU duties on a number of US goods, including industrial products and some agricultural and seafood imports. The arrangement follows earlier commitments made by the European Commission in negotiations with Washington, with the US applying a 15% tariff on most EU exports under the wider agreement.

    The legislation includes safeguard provisions allowing the EU to suspend concessions if the US does not comply with the agreed terms. The deal still requires approval from EU member states before the measures can be fully implemented.

  • NEWS STORY : UK Announces £13.9 Million for Ocean and Coastal Resilience Programmes

    NEWS STORY : UK Announces £13.9 Million for Ocean and Coastal Resilience Programmes

    STORY

    The UK has announced £13.9 million of funding for international ocean and coastal resilience programmes, with the investment confirmed at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa. Marine Minister Emma Hardy said the funding would support communities facing climate and environmental risks.

    The money will be channelled through the Blue Planet Fund and will support three international programmes: the World Bank’s PROBLUE fund, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance and the Global Plastic Action Partnership. The schemes cover areas including sustainable marine management, coastal protection and action against plastic pollution.

    The Government said the investment was intended to support both people and nature in climate-vulnerable coastal communities. The announcement forms part of the UK’s international climate and environment policy, with ministers linking marine protection to development, resilience and economic security.

  • NEWS STORY : G7 Leaders Agree Declaration on Drug Trafficking

    NEWS STORY : G7 Leaders Agree Declaration on Drug Trafficking

    STORY

    G7 leaders have agreed a declaration on tackling drug trafficking, with the UK joining other members in committing to stronger action against organised criminal networks. The statement said global drug trafficking had expanded in recent years, driven by record production levels, changing criminal methods and rising demand.

    The declaration said maritime routes and ports remained a major focus for enforcement because of their use in moving drugs and precursor chemicals. Leaders said they would seek to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve the resilience of ports and support national investigations and prosecutions.

    The UK Government said the declaration formed part of wider work at the G7 on security, organised crime and international cooperation. Ministers have presented action against transnational crime as a national security issue as well as a policing and public health concern.