UK Housebuilders Urge Government to Support First-Time Buyers Amid Cooling Market
Britain's largest housebuilder is urging the government to announce more support for first-time buyers, warning that the looming budget has cast a "very long shadow" over the property market. Jennie Daly, CEO of Taylor Wimpey, has called on policymakers to introduce practical measures, such as a similar property tax break or the reintroduction of a help-to-buy equity loan scheme, to aid first-time buyers.
The expiry of the stamp duty holiday in March marked a significant change in support for first-time buyers, with Daly warning that the lack of direct assistance could exacerbate the cooling market. The government's previous help-to-buy programme, which offered a 20% loan for new-build homes, assisted mostly first-time buyers to purchase properties.
Daly argued that an equity loan scheme would "really start to move the first-time buyer into the market" and have material benefits for the wider economy. She pointed out that this type of scheme could help achieve the government's ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million homes in five years.
However, Daly warned against an "accumulation of regulation," arguing that green measures could become unviable to build new homes in poorer areas of the country. The high cost of complying with energy efficiency rules means that builders are more likely to opt for areas where they can easily recoup the cost, reducing their ability to build in lower-priced regions.
The government's "future homes standard" is expected to be unveiled in December, and Daly cautioned about the potential costs of regulation. She warned that while energy efficiency was important, "these regulations have a disproportionately negative effect in lower price areas."
Industry reports show that build costs, including materials and labor, have risen by 20% in recent years. The lack of support for first-time buyers has led to a decline in sales and order books for housebuilders, with Taylor Wimpey's sales dipping in recent months.
As the housing market cools, Daly emphasized that uncertainty is a major concern for consumers. However, she pointed out rising expectations of interest rate cuts in December and another in the new year, which could provide some relief.
A government spokesperson has stated that the government is committed to building 1.5 million homes, with a new permanent mortgage guarantee scheme helping buyers with deposits as small as 5% to own a home.
Britain's largest housebuilder is urging the government to announce more support for first-time buyers, warning that the looming budget has cast a "very long shadow" over the property market. Jennie Daly, CEO of Taylor Wimpey, has called on policymakers to introduce practical measures, such as a similar property tax break or the reintroduction of a help-to-buy equity loan scheme, to aid first-time buyers.
The expiry of the stamp duty holiday in March marked a significant change in support for first-time buyers, with Daly warning that the lack of direct assistance could exacerbate the cooling market. The government's previous help-to-buy programme, which offered a 20% loan for new-build homes, assisted mostly first-time buyers to purchase properties.
Daly argued that an equity loan scheme would "really start to move the first-time buyer into the market" and have material benefits for the wider economy. She pointed out that this type of scheme could help achieve the government's ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million homes in five years.
However, Daly warned against an "accumulation of regulation," arguing that green measures could become unviable to build new homes in poorer areas of the country. The high cost of complying with energy efficiency rules means that builders are more likely to opt for areas where they can easily recoup the cost, reducing their ability to build in lower-priced regions.
The government's "future homes standard" is expected to be unveiled in December, and Daly cautioned about the potential costs of regulation. She warned that while energy efficiency was important, "these regulations have a disproportionately negative effect in lower price areas."
Industry reports show that build costs, including materials and labor, have risen by 20% in recent years. The lack of support for first-time buyers has led to a decline in sales and order books for housebuilders, with Taylor Wimpey's sales dipping in recent months.
As the housing market cools, Daly emphasized that uncertainty is a major concern for consumers. However, she pointed out rising expectations of interest rate cuts in December and another in the new year, which could provide some relief.
A government spokesperson has stated that the government is committed to building 1.5 million homes, with a new permanent mortgage guarantee scheme helping buyers with deposits as small as 5% to own a home.