Launched by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the group will feature members from the Ministry of Housing and Homes England.

This team will work across government and with local councils to accelerate the buildout of housing schemes delayed by planning disagreements and red tape.

When intervening, the New Homes Accelerator would be able to provide resources to support local planning team capacity.

Early analysis estimates there are 200 large sites across the UK where work is ready to commence but construction has not yet begun, delivering up to 300,000 new homes.

“This government has a moral obligation to do everything within our power to build the homes that people desperately need and we won’t hesitate to intervene where we need to,” said the deputy prime minister.

•   The Finance Professional Show 2023: The Video
•   Are the foundations being laid to get Britain building?
•   Work starts on 2,500 home Vistry development

“Our New Homes Accelerator will quickly identify blockages, fix problems and support local authorities and developers to get shovels in the ground.”

Peter Denton, CEO of Homes England, added: “Through the Accelerator, and using the full range of tools and powers at our disposal, we will continue to work closely with our colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and our partners up and down the country, to accelerate key sites that have the potential to deliver thousands of homes for people throughout England.”

Simultaneously, a call for evidence has been launched for input from landowners, local authorities and housebuilders to give details of blocked sites with significant planning issues.

Tackling planning blockages has been identified as a core priority by the Labour government which aims to deliver 1.5 million houses over the next few years.