On Tuesday this week the government set out its housing strategy in a new white paper, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. At its heart is one simple message; that we need to build a lot more properties both to rent and buy. For decades we have fallen well short of the […]
On Wednesday last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the Autumn Statement to parliament, and with it his first detailed analysis, setting out his priorities for public spending and investment in the economy. It’s clear that spending on infrastructure and new homes will be his main focus. Locally and nationally, we need […]
The Government has announced its support for the expression of interest put forward by Shepway District Council, for the development of a garden town at Otterpool, the area to the south of junction 11 of the M20 motorway. This development could include up to 12,000 new homes, with starter homes, homes to rent and larger […]
Housing is one of the biggest issues we face today. We need more affordable homes for people to buy and rent. There has been a failure in the housing market that means the lack of available properties has pushed up prices and rents. That means today, that many people on lower wages pay a greater […]
Improving the number and quality of new houses is one of the most important challenges we face. If we are going to meet the government’s target of building 200,000 new properties a year, radical new ways of designing and delivering new homes will be required. Great progress has been made since the recession to increase […]
On Monday this week I spoke in the debate in the House of Commons on the Housing and Planning Bill, which has been introduced by the government to improve the supply of affordable homes to rent and buy, as well as giving councils new powers to tackle rogue landlords. You can read my full speech […]