Housing

The UK population has grown by over 1.3 million in just 2 years. Yet only 425,000 homes have been built. The Office of National Statistics forecast the population to grow by nearly 7 million between 2021 and 2036, putting huge pressure on housing.

Mass immigration is the main factor in this. Other factors that have damaged housing supply are overly bureaucratic planning regulations that delay decisions and add huge cost.

Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days:

 Review the Planning System.

Fast track planning and tax incentives for development of brownfield sites, including unused offices and vacant high street properties. Review system of Section 103 Developer Contributions for infrastructure such as schools and surgeries to accelerate house building.

Reform Social Housing Law.

Prioritise local people and those who have paid into the system. In parts of the UK almost half of all social housing is occupied by someone born overseas. Foreign nationals must go to the back of the queue. Not the front.

Scrap the 2019 Tax Changes for Landlords.

The tax system should encourage smaller landlords into the rental markets. Not penalise them.

Abolish the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.

Existing legislation was adequate to address bad practices. Instead, we will boost the monitoring, appeals and enforcement process.

Thereafter:

 Incentivise Use of New Construction Technology.

Such as modular construction, and smart infrastructure.

More Homegrown Qualified Traders.

New apprenticeships and vocational courses will increase the supply of skilled, well-paid workers to replace cheap overseas labour.