More new homes high on the CBI agenda

Increasing the supply of much needed new homes, including affordable homes, forms a vital part of the CBI's vision of an improvement in development activity across the country, with a view to stimulating economic growth. 

Addressing political and construction leaders at the Government's Construction Summit yesterday (Tuesday), Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy Director-General, said that the CBI's own Construction Council is "helping drive forward our Getting Britain Building campaign" to unleash growth and help embed a new 21st century industrial strategy for the sector.

Commenting on the recent Government Spending Review, Dr Bentley said: "Getting Britain building is at the top of the CBI agenda, and last week's Spending Review announcements provided a timely opportunity to renew that focus.

"The main question is whether the Government rose to the challenge. And in some respects it did."

Out of a £300bn infrastructure bonanza, £100bn was gifted to national projects to be taken up between now and 2020, something which has pleased the CBI.

"But the time for promises is over. We now need the government to deliver," Dr Bentley added.

With demand for housing growing, Dr Bentley also said that it is essential that the supply of new homes rises across the nation.

On housing, Dr Bentley said: "CBI calls to invest in the Affordable Housing Programme beyond 2015 were heard and should go some way to addressing the shortfall in housing stock. The number of households in England is projected to grow by 10% to around 24m by 2021, so we need the housing supply to be ramped up."