Housing and the land question

摘要

This article calls for a move away from the approach which has led to many of the current problems in the UK housing market. It is not advocating a predominately state-led system, but rather one which works with developers, landowners and the market in an organised way to meet the housing needs of the nation - and to create a legacy that will benefit society in the long term. It recognises the difficult issues arising from providing the housing needed in a densely populated country, where land in the right place is a very scarce resource, as well as the particular issues arising from the unique emphasis in the UK on property owner-occupation. Given supply and affordability considerations, the current system is not meeting the needs of the country's population, and a thorough reappraisal is now required, not just tinkering with a flawed system.