Just 11% of Brits think the government can handle the housing crisis

December 10, 2019 / Isla MacFarlane
Just 11% of Brits think the government can handle the housing crisis

After successive governments have failed to build enough homes, it seems the British public has lost faith in Downing Street’s ability to solve the housing crisis. However, there are some things you can always count on – while everyone agrees that we need to build more homes, no one wants them built anywhere near them!

New research from Experience Invest has uncovered Briton’s attitudes towards the housing crisis. In a nationally representative survey of over 2,000 UK consumers, it was revealed that:

  • Only 11% of the UK population have confidence in the government’s ability to tackle the housing crisis;
  • Over half (53%) think that prolonging Brexit is counterproductive to tackling the housing crisis;
  • 68% of consumers think the government should cap rental prices to make saving for a house easier;
  • 78% think there should be stricter regulations on landlords to protect vulnerable renters;
  • 62% think the government should eradicate stamp duty for first time buyers;
  • However, almost half (47%) would be happy to see newbuilds in their local area;
  • Just 26% want to see the construction of more skyrises to help address the housing crisis;
  • 76% think improved infrastructure would make newbuilds more attractive;
  • 67% support the government’s measures to ensure newbuilds are aesthetically pleasing.

The off-plan property investment firm surveyed a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 UK adults to uncover public attitudes towards the housing crisis.

Interestingly, the government has done its best to sway the electrolyte by paying lip service to some of their biggest concerns in recent times. The public are keen to see the government make it easier for renters, which Labour is capitalising on in its manifesto, with pledges to cap rents, get tough on landlords and scrap no fault evictions.

Bizarrely, over two thirds (62%) are in favour of scrapping stamp duty for first time buyers, apparently unaware than Phillip Hammond has already done so. Given all that’s happened since, perhaps it isn’t surprising that the majority of Brits seem to have forgotten Phillip Hammond’s headline announcement from the 2017 Budget.

Unsurprisingly, the public is all in favour of the government’s measures to combat ugly homes. They’ll also be heartened by the government’s promise to improve infrastructure.

Jerald Solis, Business Development and Acquisitions Director at Experience Invest said: “The public is somewhat conflicted about its priorities. On the one hand, they want to see decisive action from the government in tackling the housing crisis. However, many are opposed to action that may directly impact their lives and their local area; namely, the construction of newbuilds. This could hinder progress towards tackling the housing crisis.

“What is clear, however, is that local councils must involve construction firms when developing new housing strategies. Private sector constructions firms are perfectly poised to offer assistance, from insight into aesthetically pleasing buildings, to sourcing investment for largescale construction projects. They could provide a vital lifeline to local governments.

“Of course, there isn’t a simple solution to the housing crisis, however a collaboration between the public and private sector would be a promising step in the right direction; both in terms of increasing the supply of affordable homes and easing public scepticism about new builds.”

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