Responding to the publication today of Policy Exchange’s report, Better Homes, Greener Cities, Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation says:
“The industry welcomes this report as a timely contribution to the debate. It is important that the planning system provides the right incentives for house building and that communities see and receive the benefits of development.
“As demand continues to outstrip supply, Britain’s housing crisis is getting worse. Figures released last month show that 320,000 people got on the property ladder in 2005, 10 per cent fewer than 2004 and 40 per cent fewer than 2002.
“There is now a discernible consensus emerging on the need to deliver a step-change in the rate of house building. We welcome all new ideas on how the framework to achieve this can be created.”
Notes for Editors
1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk
2. Halifax figures released in January 2006 show that 320,000 people got on the property ladder in 2005, 10% fewer than 2004 and 40% fewer than 2002. The average deposit now needed is almost £24,000, up from £10,000 five years ago. It takes on average five years to save up for this figure, compared with three years in 2000: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4657868.stm
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