The British Property Federation has set out its manifesto ahead of the General Election, as part of an effort to maximise real estate’s impact in underpinning a productive economy.
The organisation said it is seeking a new partnership with the next government to support communities, nurture a diverse workforce and unlock “sustainable, inclusive growth across the country”.
The manifesto highlighted five further core focuses:
- to deliver more homes and better places;
- to support and transform town centres;
- nurturing and retaining talent;
- achieving net zero carbon; and
- spreading prosperity throughout the regions.
Key proposals within these themes included the call for £12.8bn investment per year in social housing, with support for the target to deliver 1.4m social homes by 2030.
The BPF also emphasised its support for reduced or zero-rate VAT on residential repairs and maintenance, the provision of a social infrastructure fund to support community facilities where land values will not deliver them, reforming the UK apprenticeship levy and reducing business rates.
It also called for greater investment in local authority planning departments to improve the planning process, and reforming Treasury Green Book appraisal methods, to account for a broader range of criteria.
Melanie Leech, chief executive of the BPF, said: “We welcome the commitment from all the main parties to tackle the key challenges facing our country including safeguarding the environment, ensuring access to good quality housing and the infrastructure to support a modern productive economy and thriving communities.
“As a nation, we can only solve these issues through effective collaboration and partnerships across all stakeholders, in both the public and private sectors.
“Our manifesto contains a broad spectrum of proposals that would help to provide a solid platform on which we can continue to create strong, successful and sustainable communities.”
To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette
