Select Committee launches inquiry into UK housebuilding capacity

On 5 July 2016, the Communities and Local Government  Select Committee launched a new inquiry into the housebuilding industry. In particular, the Committee will be focusing on the level of capacity in the industry and whether it can actually deliver the number of new homes that the UK needs. 

In the words of Clive Betts MP,  the Chair of the Committee:

"The capacity of the homebuilding industry is a key factor in housing supply, which is simply not keeping up with demand and has left us in the midst of a crisis.

The Committee will cast a critical eye over the major homebuilders, examine the decline of small and medium-sized developers and look closely at the skills shortages, planning delays and finance issues hampering the industry.

Our wide-ranging inquiry will also explore alternative models, such as self-builds and off-site construction, to see if such innovative approaches to homebuilding can help address the country's housing needs."

The Committee is requesting written evidence from interested parties. They are also expected to invite representatives of the major house builders and housing authorities to give evidence in person. 

The closing date for submissions of written evidence is 12 September 2016. 

The Committee invites submissions of evidence on the following issues:

whether the numbers of builders and types of firms in the homebuilding industry is sufficient to meet housing demand

the structure of the homebuilding industry, in particular the role of small and medium-sized developers

housebuilders' business models and how risk and uncertainty affect incentives to expand
the sustainability, size and skills of the building industry workforce

why fewer homes are being started and completed than the number of planning permissions being granted

the extent to which current planning approaches cause delays to the building of new homes

innovative approaches to increasing the housing supply, for example self-build, off-site construction and direct commissioning by central government and local housing companies
the role of development finance and how it can promote or constrain housing investment
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