Government housing plans in doubt

Government plans to construct three million new homes in the UK by 2020 are on course to fail, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has warned.

Rics said that there had been a reduction in building as a result of the fall in demand for new homes as the market has slowed in recent months.

It stated that in the fourth quarter of the year 16 per cent of surveyors experienced a rise in demand for new homes rather than a fall, down from 17 per cent in the third quarter.

This reduction in new building makes the chances of the target being met much less, Rics concluded, news which may lead some to consider if the alternative option of self build to acquire a home.

Rics senior economist David Stubbs said: "Doubts are likely to intensify over the ability of the government to meet its ambitious house building targets."

In response to the news, shadown housing minister Grant Schapps told the Daily Telegraph "the Government doesn't have a cat in hell's chance" of meeting its aim.


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