“Back small builders, build more homes: Creating the conditions for SME developers to thrive”
The Home Builders Federation is running an hour long session on Monday afternoon at the Labour Party Conference on how to help SME builders.
We know that more housebuilding is one of the best ways to generate jobs and economic growth for the UK. And we know that the more the 1.5 million target is touted, the less achievable it seems.
Everyone has an opinion. Here are just a few to share with Labour delegates as they take part in this session:
Tax and regulation
- Lighten the cumulative burden of regulation that has hit site viability on the head in many areas.
- Deal with the unprofitability of affordable housing schemes holding back new developments.
- Improve access to finance for infrastructure or cashflow.
- Fix severe shortages of planning officers.
- Delay the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.
Demand
- Cut spending rather than further increase taxes to improve the economy, reduce interest rates and avoid a further hit to family finances.
- Reverse additional business taxes imposed in the last 2 years to improve both site viability and stimulate demand through increased consumer confidence.
- A new equity loan scheme to replace Help to Buy.
- New stamp duty incentives.
Do you have anything to add? Which do you think would have the biggest impact?
The Labour Housing Group is running a number of other events which touch on our sector – see: https://labourhousing.org/past-events/ending-rough-sleeping-what-does-andy-burnham-need-to-do/
James Scott
MD
