UK High Streets Could Be Turned Into Housing

Promises by government ministers to revitalise high streets with a new breed of shops should be abandoned in favour of turning town centres into residential hubs, creating at least 800,000 homes, according to a report that aims to influence a Downing Street review of planning laws. The Social Market Foundation (SMF) said the decline of the traditional high street could not be reversed by policies that “turn the clock back” to a time before online shopping, especially after the trend accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. Empty shops should be given a new lease of life as homes or be torn down in favour of modern apartments. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/22/uk-high-streets-could-be-turned-into-housing-says-thinktank

Downing Street Criticises Housing Minister Over Inheritance Comments

Downing Street has slapped down the housing minister after he suggested grandparents should give inheritance straight to their grandchildren to help ease the housing crisis. After Mr Barwell said the move could help alleviate “a profound intergenerational unfairness”, a No 10 spokesman dismissed the idea. The spokesman said: “These were personal comments made by Gavin Barwell at a fringe meeting at the conference, it’s certainly not a policy announcement. What people do with their estates, is an issue for them. It’s not for the Government to dictate people how to complete their wills.” Read more on the Independent website.