Shapps Hits Back At IPPR

Grant Shapps has hit back at a report warning that the Government's Housing Strategy is likely to lead to 'subsidised stagnation', unless the housebuilding industry is reformed. The Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) said fundamental reform of the housebuilding industry was necessary for the Government to get more bang for the taxpayers' buck. However, the housing minister Grant Shapps said the IPPR's plans "just don't stack up". He said: "It seems they've missed the fundamental point of the Housing Strategy which is designed to get much better value for money. As a result we will push developers and builders harder than ever before to play their part to deliver new homes quickly, securing excellent value for each taxpayer's pound. For example, our new Affordable Housing programme will cost the taxpayer far less per home by stretching builders and housing associations to contribute on average 25 per cent more towards the costs.” Read more on the CLG website.