The Vision Project

This need to build more houses must be accepted
by all. It is not always a popular topic when I visit
local Conservative Associations. We must put aside
any tendencies to “nimbyism”. We cannot say “yes
we need more houses” but also “just not where we
live”. For the sake of our young people and future
generations, we must support and embrace house
building.
There are other things that the Government could
and should be doing. There are some laws and
regulations that make building new homes more
complicated and difficult than necessary. These
should be simplified where possible. However,
this must not allow house builders to cut corners.
I have recently been asked for help by several
constituents who have moved into a new-build
home only to find significant problems with its
construction. House building companies must do
better at quality control and also at helping people
who encounter such problems.
As well as making it easier to build, the
Government should be doing everything it can to
make it easier to buy. The ‘Help to Buy’ scheme
has enabled many people to get on the housing
ladder but more needs to be done. One simple
solution would be to reduce Stamp Duty. It is
often the case in such situations that lowering tax
encourages more activity so the Government ends
up raising more money.
Another issue that my constituents write to me
about is high rental costs. This is another serious
problem. Recent figures from the Department
for Work and Pensions showed that rising rents
were the main cause of poverty for many families.
The Government has recently passed legislation
to improve the rights of tenants but we must be
careful that the balance does not shift too far,
otherwise landlords will be put off. This would only
exacerbate the problem. Fundamentally, this is the
same issue as above, there are not enough houses
to go round. Rental costs and mortgages will only
start to come down when supply begins to catch
up with demand. We must build more houses and
we must do so quickly.