Removing technical barriers to trade, ensuring environmental standards alignment and tackling labour shortages are crucial for tackling the housing crisis, campaigners have stressed as the Chancellor announces £39bn for house building in the spending review.
Responding to the spending review where the Chancellor announced £39bn for the construction of new affordable housing, Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said:
“While vital, cash alone will not address the chronic issues facing the construction sector which year after year contribute to missed housebuilding targets. That means higher rents and fewer opportunities for first-time buyers.
“To give themselves the best chance at keeping their promise to voters, the government must tackle these issues with the same focus with which they are pursuing planning reform - removing the technical barriers to trade which have artificially increased the cost of equipment, aligning with the EU on environmental standards to lower the cost of construction materials and crucially, addressing the shortage of builders.”