Labour wants to build 12 new towns across England as part of a project estimated to cost a whopping £48 billion. The Government has vowed to start construction on at least three of the developments before the next general election as it lags behind its 1.5 million new homes in England pledge. At least 120,000 properties are expected to be built through the programme, with ministers reportedly set to announce a list of locations for the new towns next week.

Other place names said to be under consideration include Pankhurst, named after the suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, and Attleeton, after the former Labour prime minister Sir Clement Attlee, who started a giant postwar new towns programme.

Seacole, named after the Jamaican-British nurse Mary Seacole who treated wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, is another contender, according to The Times.

Another is believed to be Athelstan — regarded as the first King of England.

As many as 12 new towns are expected to be unveiled in the coming days, following an independent report identifying several areas for potential development.

It is understood any names for the new towns must go through a public consultation process, before being signed off by local leaders.

A Government spokesman insisted “no decisions” on new town names or locations have been made.

The spokesman added: “Our landmark new towns programme will help to build thousands of new homes across the country so we can restore the dream of homeownership.”