Planning law overhaul stalls as Reeves's adviser resigns

Rachel Reeves’s attempts to overhaul Britain’s planning laws have been dealt a blow after a senior lawyer whom she appointed as an adviser decided to leave the government after just four months.

- Helena Horton Kiran Stacey

Catherine Howard will leave the Treasury when her contract ends on 1 January, despite having been asked informally to stay on indefinitely.

Howard is understood to have warned the government against pushing ahead with some of its proposals to sweep aside planning regulations in an effort to encourage more infrastructure projects.

Some senior officials warn that Keir Starmer’s attempt to kickstart major building schemes could damage EU relations.

Thirty Labour MPs have urged him not to push ahead with some of his more radical planning changes.