Introduction The Government today (17 August 2026) has published its new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), following a weekend of press briefings promoting plans for a default presumption in favour of approval for homes near train stations, and protections for pubs which have been on the market for less than a year. Even before the Plan was published Conservative and Reform politicians were raising concerns about communities seeing less opportunities to object to a

It’s the end of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first weeks in office, and the new Government has already prompted significant discussion and speculation about its approach to planning and development. At CalComms, we pride ourselves on helping our clients across the development industry navigate the uncertainty that often accompanies a change in Government, both in town halls and Whitehall. To help make sense of the evolving policy landscape, we’ve put together a quick Q&A cov

Andy Burnham has now become the Prime Minister, ushering in a new era for both the Labour Party and the country. His arrival marks a clear shift in tone and direction, with Burnham acknowledging that mistakes had been made since the 2024 general election and emphasising the need for the Government to reset its approach. In his first address, he outlined priorities aimed at delivering tangible change, such as ending rough sleeping, accelerating council house building, tackling

Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party, has announced his intention to resign and has set out a timetable for his departure to ensure an orderly transition of leadership. Economic conditions remain challenging, with growth and employment pressures driving voter dissatisfaction. This has coincided with stronger performances from smaller and opposition parties, particularly the Green Party and Reform UK, including in traditional Labour

CalComms organised and delivered the launch event for the West Midlands All-Party Parliamentary Group, bringing together MPs, Peers and industry leaders to establish the group’s priorities and policy agenda at the end of 2025. Working with the APPG’s Advisory Board, CalComms coordinated the programme, stakeholder invitations and communications surrounding the event. The launch provided a platform for industry representatives to outline proposals for supporting economic growth

When the APPG for the West Midlands was constituted in December 2025, CalComms led the process of establishing the group’s structure and building parliamentary support. Working within strict parliamentary rules governing APPG membership and the limited time available to MPs and Peers, we secured the participation of over 20 parliamentarians and successfully formalised the group. CalComms developed a strategic positioning and communications approach to ensure the APPG’s agenda