Government announces Autumn Statement housing measures

Latest News Wed, Nov 23, 2016 9:48 AM

The government is to introduce further housing measures to deliver homes for both home ownership and rent.

In his Autumn Statement, the chancellor Philip Hammond announced a £2.3 billion housing infrastructure fund for up to 100,000 new homes in areas of high demand, and £1.4 billion for 40,000 additional affordable homes.

He also said that government grants would be relaxed to allow housing providers to deliver a wider range of housing types.

London will also receive £3.15 billion as its share of national affording housing funding to deliver a commitment for more than 90,000 affordable homes.

Introducing the housing infrastructure fund, Hammond said: “One of the biggest objections to housing delivery is the impact on local infrastructure. We will focus infrastructure investment on unlocking housing.”

Hammond also said: “This commitment to housing represents a step change in our ambition to deliver a housing market that works for everyone.”

Elsewhere, there was a promise of £1.1bn extra investment in English local transport networks, £220m to reduce traffic pinch points and £110m for East West Rail and commitment to deliver Oxford to Cambridge Expressway. A total of £1.8bn from Local Growth Fund will go to English regions.

In terms of the general business, there will be a doubling of UK export funding capacity and £400m paid into venture capital funds through the British Business Bank to unlock £1bn in finance for growing firms.

As for the state of the economy, the chancellor promised "fiscal headroom" to support the economy through Brexit.

The Office for Budget Responsibility growth forecast was upgraded to 2.1% in 2016 - from 2.0% - then downgraded to 1.4% in 2017, from 2.2%. It forecasts growth of 1.7% in 2018, 2.1% in 2019 and 2020 and 2% in 2021.

Government no longer seeking a budget surplus in 2019-20 - Mr Hammond says he is committed to returning public finances to balance "as soon as practicable". Public spending this year will be 40% of GDP - down from 45% in 2010 - and departmental spending plans set out in 2015 Spending Review to remain in place

Government will meet commitments to protect budgets for key public services, defence, overseas aid and the pension "triple lock" until the end of this Parliament

There was also a promise to abolish Autumn Statement, with Budgets happening in the autumn from next year, along with "Spring Statement" from 2018.

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