Government measures to ease housing shortage

The Prime Minister will be using the autumn session of Parliament to introduce measures aimed at increasing the number of homes being built across the UK.

Under existing plans the Government expects one million new homes to be built during the coming decade but Gordon Brown would like to see this figure increased by 200,000, to ensure that affordable homes are available for those starting out on the housing ladder.

In addition. 550 publicly owned sites are being scrutinised, to see if they are suitable for housing development. These sites could potentially provide for an additional 100,000 homes.

The Housing Corporation and English Partnerships will work jointly to identify brownfield sites that can be used for flats and houses.

Under the plans, all housing development proposals will have to meet stricter environmental standards and local authorities will be able to fund housing projects by borrowing against future rental income.

The Government will also reform the planning system to speed up housing projects and release new sites.

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