To reach its target, the Government needs to build 300,000 new homes per year, but just more than 150,000 a year will be built between now and March 2028, down from 189,000 last year, according to Savills.
London, which has a target to build 88,000 a year, is also vastly behind schedule. Molior data show that construction began on just 5,547 homes in the capital last year.
The judicial review could also serve as an early test case for Mr Burnham’s housing policies, which potentially include an annual land value tax to replace stamp duty and council tax.
Under his leadership as Manchester mayor, Mr Burnham’s office also oversaw a major housebuilding initiative that resulted in hundreds of luxury flats being built in skyscrapers across the city.
However, it was found that a taxpayer-based fund that he presided over produced almost no affordable homes, despite local targets.
Mr Burnham has defended his administration’s decisions, saying that proceeds from the loans will help pay for other housing initiatives such as social and affordable homes outside the city centre.
