A simple change in the Finance Bill could extend our world-leading pro-investment regime for plant and machinery to investment in new brownfield housing, and spur development in many sites currently sitting idle.
Fourteen years of Conservative government has left under-40s hating the Tories. Radical action will be required to win them over. But this will not be limited to improving their material circumstances.
Home ownership is a fundamental cornerstone of conservatism, and everyone must be given the opportunity to reach this life milestone through hard work and determination.
New legislation is not required to enact popular conservative policies immediately. There are great powers on the statute book which give ministers serious leeway to introduce new policies by order or regulation,requiring minimal parliamentary time.
Kensington and Chelsea already has exceptionally high density. But we are embracing creative solutions to increase supply while retaining or enhancing the beauty of our borough.
The capital’s post-war estates were built at densities far lower than many of London’s best-loved historic neighbourhoods, such as Marylebone. Industrial land is being protected. The Park Royal Industrial Area in Acton alone could deliver 135,000 new homes.
There is some truth to the claim that there has been a big shift in power away from Parliament and a narrowing of politics – but in the British constitution, a government with a majority could fix that.
Although containing some welcome improvements, the Levelling-Up Secretary’s legislation contains one glaring error: a ban on ‘no fault evictions’.
It’s a rare politician who has both the urge and the ability to convey something extra in what they say or write – and to do so with enough subtlety to get away with it. But if anyone in the current cabinet can, it’s him.
The time we added the most homes was in the 1920s and 1930s, when we built at a higher rate than household formation – and prices and rents barely moved.
Countries with greater wealth distribution – like Iceland or Austria – have seen the smallest losses of faith in democracy. Every new homeowner is another convert to the idea that democracy can work for them.
Countries like Saudi Arabia give every adult a plot of land on which to build a home. In the UK roughly half the cost of a home is the cost of the land.
Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’ will be scrapped before the General Election, the housing secretary says.
While capping ground rents is a promising start, unless further amendments are introduced to address the abuse of services, that chance could yet go to waste.
A liberal society that respects private property must oppose these wretched restrictions with the utmost force. Only then will it truly respect the sanctity of each owner himself.