The Intermediary – August 2026 - Flipbook - Page 80
R A P I D R E AC T I O N
Andy Burnham
argument for loosening affordability checks. It’s
he can apply the same practices to an entire
an argument for taking a fuller view of people’s
country remains to be seen.
circumstances and making better-informed
decisions, combining specialist understanding,
Housebuilding is in our national interests. If
Burnham can create a planning system that is
rigorous checks and responsible human
faster, more consistent and gives businesses the
judgement to distinguish between genuine
confidence to invest, it would be a significant
risk and a creditworthy customer who has
step forward for society. Andy Burnham styles
experienced a difficult period but is now ready to
himself as a man of the people – but he must
move forward.
not fall victim to NIMBY attitudes which serve
Self-employment tells a similar story. Our
those with houses over those without. It is not
research shows 300,000 self-employed adults
fair on the younger generation; it’s not fair
with adverse credit expect to be in a position to
on the most vulnerable; it is patently selfish
buy within the next three years, yet most don’t
and should have no place in a civilised society
feel confident about their chances of securing a
struggling with economic growth.
mortgage. More broadly, 80% of self-employed
people aspire to own a home, higher than both
full-time and part-time employees, but 76%
believe their employment status makes it harder
to get one. The way people earn a living has
changed considerably, but traditional lending
criteria have not always kept pace with the
increasingly varied and complex nature of
modern working lives.
A new Government that’s genuinely serious
about housing has a real opportunity to support
a more inclusive mortgage market by working
with the FCA and the wider industry to enable
responsible innovation that broadens access
to mortgages. This would help more borrowers
achieve their homeownership goals while
enabling lenders to support a wider range of
customer circumstances and needs.
Nick Leeming
chairman of Jackson Stops
Andy Burnham takes office having made
housing one of his defining priorities, and
there is broad agreement that increasing the
supply of new homes must remain central to the
Government’s ambitions. However, the health
of the housing market cannot be measured by
housebuilding targets alone. A successful market
also depends on ensuring that existing homes
can move through the system more efficiently,
enabling people to relocate as their lives and
circumstances change.
Much of the political debate has focused
on measures such as Stamp Duty, and while
reducing the upfront costs of moving would
undoubtedly encourage activity, it should not
Tim Sargeant
distract from the equally important challenge of
chairman at City & Country
reforming the homebuying and selling process
itself. Confidence is often undermined not
I look forward to what Andy Burnham has to
simply by the cost of moving, but by uncertainty
offer the sector. However, housebuilders have
over how long a transaction will take.
become frustrated with successive Governments
around transaction timelines could unlock
in the last 10 years have fully delivered on
around 260,000 additional owner-occupied
their promises to tackle the housing crisis. The
homes across England within a year. Equally,
question now is whether Burnham can translate
previous research found that removing Stamp
his ambition into national policy.
Our sector remains hindered by red tape,
Duty costs could encourage more than 300,000
additional owner-occupied homes onto the
bureaucracy and a planning system that has too
market, highlighting that improving housing
often become a political football. Instead, what
mobility requires a combination of measures
we need is a Government that understands the
rather than a single policy intervention.
true social, economic and wellbeing benefits of
solving the housing crisis, and treats the delivery
The Government has already signalled its
intention to modernise the process by improving
of homes like essential national infrastructure
upfront information and reducing delays.
as they do in Germany. SME housebuilders
Maintaining momentum behind those reforms
are uniquely positioned to support with this
will be just as important as delivering new
– but need the backing and investment from
Government to truly deliver.
Burnham’s track record in Manchester has
undoubtedly made him popular – but whether
78
Our research suggests that greater certainty
of all colours. None of the seven prime ministers
The Intermediary | August 2026
homes. After several years of changing priorities
and leadership within housing policy, the
market now needs consistency and long-term
commitment.
