Lib Dems tell developers: if you won’t build the houses, we will

Tim Farron has laid down the law to developers, warning that unless they build the homes Britain needs, the government will.

Tim has made house building one of his very top manifesto commitments, having campaigned to increase Britain's housing supply throughout his career. The Liberal Democrat manifesto will commit to ensuring 300,000 homes a year are built for sale and rent by the end of the parliament.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron said: "If developers won't deliver the homes Britain needs, we will. The government will become a house-builder itself, bringing in the contractors to construct the homes and then selling them into the market. The only way to get a grip on the housing crisis is by firm government action. The market is broken and has failed to deliver.

"If we have to penalise developers for land-banking and let local authorities hike up council tax on empty or un-built homes, so be it. We will set up a Housing and Infrastructure Development Bank to provide long-term capital for new settlements."

"Carrie Hynds, Lib Dem candidate for Hove and Portslade, said: "I welcome the vital manifesto pledge to set up a Housing Investment Bank and get Britain building again. The need for more affordable homes is obvious in Hove and Portslade, where the average rent for a one-bed flat is now £978 per month and homes are going on sale for over twelve times the average wage. Brighton & Hove City Council has consistently missed its own targets of holding developers to account on providing 40% affordable homes, showing that more action must be taken by central government.

"We are faced with two problems: not enough building and not the right type of developments, as luxury flats snapped up by overseas investors push prices even higher. Lib Dems know that the only solution to the housing crisis is to increase supply of good-quality affordable homes in mixed developments, including a decent proportion for social rent."