Housing minister Grant Shapps has today (February 1) highlighted the vital role housebuilding will play in the economic recovery, and outlined the progress made so far with the government’s housing strategy.
The minister announced that he had identified enough government land to build 80,000 homes. He will now work with organisations including the BBC and Royal Mail to identify more unused sites.
He confirmed that the government’s mortgage indemnity scheme - called the NewBuy Guarantee scheme - would be launched next month and be available to UK citizens buying new build houses and flats with a value of up to £500,000.
Shapps announced progress on the Get Britain Building Fund. £45 million will be allocated to unlock 18 stalled sites, with the aim of delivering 1,301 homes.
The minister also announced the allocation of the £500 million Growing Places Fund to 39 local enterprise partnerships, which will help create thousands of jobs in construction and related industries.
Shapps said: “With the prime minister putting housing centre stage on the road to economic recovery, I am determined that we shall not repeat mistakes of the past.”
Persimmon’s ceo Mike Farley commented on NewBuy Guarantee: “This scheme will provide a much needed shot in arm for the whole of the housing sector enabling people to buy a newly built home with a deposit of as little as 5%.”
For all the latest housebuilding news and events visit www.house-builder.co.uk
