WIREDGOV

The CBI recently commented on Government plans for house building and easing planning restrictions on homes and businesses.

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said:

“We have long said that unfreezing the housing market will be a major game-changer in the drive for economic growth. The housing and planning announcements today will provide a much-needed tonic for the construction sector, getting diggers on site and people into work.  It will make a difference to households across the country.”

On boosting demand he said:

“First-time buyers are the lifeblood of the housing market, and we’ve been calling on the Government to do more to help them get on the first rung of the housing ladder and unlock pent-up demand.

“We welcome the Government’s plans to extend the First Buy scheme, and we now want the same focus on ensuring the NewBuy scheme reaches its full potential in bridging the deposit gap for first-time buyers.”

On easing planning restrictions he said:

“Making planning cheaper, quicker and easier will unblock stalled housing developments and provide a fillip to business confidence.

“Getting the details clarified as soon as possible will allow businesses to move at pace.”

On housing guarantees:

“We have long called for an innovative approach to how the Government uses its balance sheet to secure private sector investment in housing and major infrastructure projects, so this is a sign of progress.

“But construction firms need to see this legislation in place at the earliest opportunity so they are clear on how to capitalise on it.”

Notes to Editors:
The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. With offices across the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.