Britons blaming government over lack of supply

Britons believe that the government is at fault over the lack of available housing that has fuelled price rises over the past decade despite councils being just as much to blame, according to a new study from propertyfinder.com.

While buy-to-let and other property investors were considered to be most responsible, 12.6 per cent of respondents to the website's survey thought the problem was down to governmental policies.

By comparison, just 6.8 per cent lay the blame at the door of local councils for failing to approve planning applications. Even fewer cited what is commonly believed to be the real reason for the boom – low inflation and low interest rates.

"Ten years of low interest rates have brought about Britain’s high house prices, but this is poorly understood by most people," advised propertyfinder.com chief executive Warren Bright.

"Restrictive planning policy enthusiastically enforced by local councils has severely constrained the ability of developers to provide the number of homes needed by Britain's rising number of households, and has exacerbated the rise in property values," Mr Bright added.

Last month housing minister Yvette Cooper announced a £500 million package designed to encourage councils to free up more land for development.

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