Close Brothers Property Finance,
the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Travis Perkins have launched the latest
‘State of Play’ survey to assess the impact of Labour’s early policy moves on
small and medium (SME) home builders.
Released at UKREiiF, the survey
invites SME home builders to share on-the-ground perspectives and experiences
of the Government’s housing policies, including recent planning reform.
The findings will culminate in a
report highlighting ongoing challenges faced by the sector and opportunities
for Government to better support SMEs such that they can play a bigger part in
the delivery of its target of 1.5 million new homes.
Survey respondents are invited to
share insight on key areas such as the impact of new regulations and tax
burdens on the financial viability of schemes; delays in the planning
process; the absence of affordable housing providers in the market for the
Section 106 units they deliver; and a lack of affordable mortgage availability
that is supressing demand. Individuals will also be asked whether they feel
more optimistic about the industry’s outlook now than they did in the run-up to
last year’s General election.
Phil Hooper, Chief Executive
Officer of Close Brothers Property Finance, says: “The State of Play survey
shines a light on the systemic roadblocks facing SME housebuilders. It provides
invaluable data to advocate for smarter policy, faster delivery, and a bigger
role for SMEs in meeting the 1.5 million homes target. Close Brothers Property
Finance is proud to support this initiative once again.”
Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive
of the HBF says: “ Over recent decades, the increasingly complex and
challenging operating environment within which home builders have had to
operate has resulted in a dramatic fall in the number of SME house builders.
Smaller builders play a crucial role within our industry and, if the
policy environment allows, can make a major contribution towards the ambitious
housing targets set by ministers. With the Government approaching the end of
its first full year in office, this will be a crucial litmus test of how effectively
its policies are facilitating SMEs delivering new homes.”
Ben Todd, Managing Director of
Travis Perkins Managed Services says: “SMEs continue to face mounting
obstacles – from planning gridlocks to rising materials and labour costs. This
survey is a vital opportunity to capture their voice at scale, helping
policymakers understand the real barriers on the ground. By identifying these
obstacles we can do our part for bringing about meaningful change for the
sector.”
Officially launched at an event
at UKREiiF hosted by Close Brothers Property Finance in association with
Birketts LLP, the anonymous survey will close for responses at midnight on 10th June.
Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M6MS7X5
