SME builders reflect on the 'mixed legacy' of Cameron's housing policy
Federation of Master Builders
The Federation of Master Builders remarks on David Cameron's house building legacy.
Cameron leaves behind something of a mixed legacy on housing. The early years of his premiership were marked by economic stagnation, which saw the house building sector flounder. The firms who suffered most during the economic downturn were undoubtedly SME house builders, with the number of them estimated to have declined by around 50% in the years proceeding the financial crisis. This stark reduction in the country’s building capacity proved problematic once the economy began to recover and demand for housing rebounded.”
Yet, Cameron’s deserves credit for the fact that it was quickly recognised what a serious issue this damage to the house building eco system had become. Having made housing central to his agenda once a recovery took hold, abetted by the Help to Buy initiative, Cameron oversaw much needed reforms to the planning system aimed at making life easier for developers in getting developments off the ground. His Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, was a great champion of local house builders, recognising their ability to build out sites quicker, and their potential to develop sites which would be of little interest to larger firms. Whilst the early years of Cameron premiership were a torrid time for the industry, a head of steam has been built up over the last few years and it’s this progress that must be continued with the new PM.
