Over the past few decades, governments have sought to address the housing crisis by focusing on one primary solution – constructing new-build properties. While the construction of residential new-builds will naturally play a pivotal role in rectifying the current imbalance between housing supply and demand, commentators have criticised the targets set by the Government as being simply unattainable.
United Kingdom
When Chancellor Sajid Javid goes to the dispatch box to deliver the 2020 Spring Budget on 11thMarch, those of us involved in the UK property market will be watching on with great interest. This is the first budget of new parliament, and the first budget of a new decade. And unlike recent fiscal statements, this looks set to deliver some substantial reforms.
Regardless of the outcome, the UK’s 2019 General Election promised to be a pivotal event. After nearly a year of Brexit delays, political infighting and general market uncertainty, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to call a general election in December was seen as an attempt to deliver a majority government.
As expected, the opening weeks of 2019 have been dominated by Brexit. The latest development – albeit a predictable one – saw Theresa May’s proposed withdrawal agreement roundly rejected by MPs, leaving the UK with no clear or determined path for leaving the EU.
The 2018 Autumn Budget, taking place this Monday (29 October), marks the Government’s last major fiscal statement before the UK’s departure from the European Union in March 2019. With the Brexit deadline looming, this budget has evoked much speculation about the reforms that could be announced to concerning the property market.