Shelter responds to PM speech on housing

March 6, 2018

Shelter responds to PM speech on housing.

Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, said: “We welcome today’s speech for recognising the scale of our housing emergency and the fact our current housebuilding system is clearly not fit for purpose.

“The Prime Minister has shown the government is willing to take on developers and challenge them over unfair practices that deny communities the affordable homes they need.

“We’ve been campaigning long and hard on viability assessments – a tool exploited by developers to wriggle out of building their fair share of affordable homes, so we’re pleased the government has listened and has taken steps to close the loophole.

“The government has recognised that big developers alone can’t solve this crisis and so we now need to see a more diverse sector by supporting housing associations and local authorities to build.

“For councils to move beyond just approving planning permissions and actually start building themselves, they must be allowed to borrow more money and be given ‘use it or lose it’ powers to get hold of land.

“Only by embracing a wider range of housebuilders and holding big developers to account can we provide the genuinely affordable homes we need to ease the housing crisis that’s gripping our country.”

Source of information Shelter.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Could the Autumn Budget dent property values?

Autumn Budget uncertainty could see house prices continue to fall The latest research by nationwide cash buying company and quick sale specialists, Springbok Properties, has found that those looking to sell could see the value of their home fall over the remainder of the year, as historic data shows that major fiscal events such as…
Read More →
bricks rubble
Breaking News

Westminster Debate Highlights Urgent Need to Tackle Rogue Builders

A Westminster Hall debate yesterday, led by Mark Garnier MP, brought MPs from across the political spectrum together to address the growing problem of rogue builders. The discussion highlighted shocking cases of homeowners losing thousands of pounds, unsafe work being carried out, and rogue traders repeatedly evading justice by exploiting loopholes in the current system.…
Read More →
Breaking News

Ombudsman welcomes Renters’ Rights Act implementation roadmap

The Property Ombudsman welcomed the Government’s roadmap for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 that sets out how the legislation will be implemented. The Government’s announcement today (14 November) follows the Property Ombudsman’s Consumer and Industry Forum on 12 November where Stephanie Kvam, Deputy Director – Private Rented Sector at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

New Legislation is Set to Reshape the Property Industry

Propertymark urges members to book a compliance audit as new legislation is set to reshape the industry. As significant legislative changes roll out across the UK’s property sector, Propertymark is approaching its estate and letting agent members to get them booked in for a compliance audit as it’s “the most effective way to ensure their…
Read More →
Breaking News

Don’t let the silent killer into your home: Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

Don’t let the silent killer into your home: Propertymark’s advice for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week As the UK marks Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week this week (17–23 November 2025), Propertymark, the professional body for estate and letting agents, is urging all tenants and homeowners to take five minutes to check their carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and…
Read More →
Breaking News

FMB Welcomes MP’s Call For Greener Homes and Energy Incentives

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed a House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report calling on the Government to provide greater incentives for homeowners and housebuilders to create greener, more energy-efficient homes. The report into environmental sustainability and housing growth includes several recommendations that align with long-standing calls from the construction sector for…
Read More →