Shapps: "asking the experts" for detailed information on housebuilding market
Housing minister Grant Shapps has announced a partnership between the government and the National House Building Council (NHBC). The collaboration is “designed to help provide an to insight into whether the Government’s efforts to get Britain building again are having an impact”.
NHBC, which provides warranties for around 80 per cent of the UK’s new homes, will give government access to information on all aspects of the housebuilding process, including design, materials, construction and sales.
Shapps said: “As we look to get Britain building again, we’ve taken decisive action to bring down the barriers to building with help to get stalled projects back on track, incentives for councils to build and extra support for first-time buyers. But there’s always more to be done and that’s why I’m asking the experts to help us know exactly how the market ticks. NHBC have long worked closely with government to ensure our numbers are as accurate as possible. I know that today’s new partnership will broaden and deepen both our understandings of cause and effect in the housing market and bring new ideas and insights to the fore.”
Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of NHBC, said: “NHBC works closely with the government to support the delivery of high quality sustainable new homes for homeowners across the country. We are delighted to agree this new partnership to provide a vast range of detailed information. High quality data plays such an important role helping the government to assess the progress of its housing programme. Our partnership will support this and help deliver more quality new homes that the country desperately needs.”