HOUSING
The UK population has grown by over 1.3 million in just 2 years. Yet only 425,000 homes have been built. The Office of National Statistics forecast the population to grow by nearly 7 million between 2021 and 2036, putting huge pressure on housing.
Mass immigration is the main factor in this. Other factors that have damaged housing supply are overly bureaucratic planning regulations that delay decisions and add huge cost.
Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days:
Review the Planning System.
Fast track planning and tax incentives for development of brownfield sites, including unused offices and vacant high street properties. Review system of Section 103 Developer Contributions for infrastructure such as schools and surgeries to accelerate house building.
Reform Social Housing Law.
Prioritise local people and those who have paid into the system. In parts of the UK almost half of all social housing is occupied by someone born overseas. Foreign nationals must go to the back of the queue. Not the front.
Scrap the 2019 Tax Changes for Landlords.
The tax system should encourage smaller landlords into the rental markets. Not penalise them.
Abolish the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.
Existing legislation was adequate to address bad practices. Instead, we will boost the monitoring, appeals and enforcement process.
Thereafter:
Incentivise Use of New Construction Technology.
Such as modular construction, and smart infrastructure.
More Home-grown Qualified Traders.
New apprenticeships and vocational courses will increase the supply of skilled, well-paid workers to replace cheap overseas labour.
Housing Pledges Costs = £ Neutral
This proposed contract is deliberately issued as a working draft. We welcome your comments, challenges and queries. The contract will be finalised later in the year. This is what happens in business, and the nation should be run like a lean, efficient business with motivated employees and happy customers. Please email comments to:
20: CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Britain has one of the highest family breakdown rates in the western world. In 2021, more children were born to unmarried couples than to those who were married. Half of all children grow up in separate households. We have the unhappiest teenagers in Europe.
This has a devastating impact. On average, children from broken homes suffer from more educational failure, unemployment, homelessness and poverty. They suffer from more mental health issues, substance abuse, crime and imprisonment. This is a social and economic catastrophe that costs taxpayers tens of billions every year.
Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days:
Support Marriage Through the Tax system.
Germany and France let married couples with children share their tax allowance. British married couples with children deserve the same. As soon as finances allow, introduce a UK 25% transferable marriage tax allowance. This would mean no tax on the first £25,000 of income for either spouse. (Based on our higher income tax starting point of £20,000 per person). This will help make work pay, helping people trapped on benefits back into the workplace so reducing the benefits bill.
Choice for Stay at Home Mums or Dads.
The majority of mothers would choose to stay at home more if they could. ‘Front-loading’ the Child Benefit system for children aged 1-4 would give parents the choice to spend more time with their children.
Mandate Single Sex Spaces.
Public toilets and changing areas must provide single sex facilities.
Promote Child Friendly App Restricted Smartphones.
Reduce social media harms for children.
Thereafter:
Launch inquiry into Social Media Harms.
Social media is associated with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, suicide and the child mental health crisis. Critically, social media can change both behaviour and belief without the user’s consent. Protect children’s mental health. (Potential social media ban for under 16s if practicable.)
Review the Online Safety Bill.
Social media giants that push baseless transgender ideology and divisive Critical Race theory should have no role in regulating free speech.
Children & Families Pledges Costs = £8 billion pa
This proposed contract is deliberately issued as a working draft. We welcome your comments, challenges and queries. The contract will be finalised later in the year. This is what happens in business, and the nation should be run like a lean, efficient business with motivated employees and happy customers. Please email comments to: