“No doubt homeowners will be pleased that house prices are rising at a slightly increased pace but this will be disheartening news for those who are striving to get on the property ladder and are already having to contend with high private-market rental prices."
“This government has made important commitments to the housing sector over the past year and what’s needed now is continuity and stability so that these vital ambitions can be achieved.
We welcome the clear-cut push to increase housing stock, but would have liked Mr Hammond to have acknowledged that variety is as much a problem as volume for the sector.
Working in housing can be extraordinarily rewarding but it’s never been easy. We have always struggled in an environment where demand massively outstrips supply. We have rarely, if ever, had the resources to do everything we know needs to be done. Too often we have had to ration that which we know people need. Nearly every day we have faced moral hazards.
The housing market is broken so it’s encouraging to see the government getting on the front foot. Putting social housing at the top of the agenda is a welcome move from the secretary of state and the sector will await the green paper with interest.