Doug Crawford, CEO of My Home Move, comments on today’s Autumn Statement announcement on housing policy

“Housing was the first policy area mentioned by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement, showing that housing is finally at the top of the Government’s agenda. The new money for housing infrastructure announced today will help, but we need a holistic approach to housing so we need to see the detail of the Housing White paper.

“New funding for housing infrastructure will only be effective in helping to solve the housing crisis if it leads to the right houses being built in the right places. That’s not just about building housing in areas of high demand, it’s about making sure that it’s the kind of housing people need.

“For example, our own recent research has shown that for many over 55 the idea of downsizing to free up existing housing stock to second steppers is unattractive, as the types of homes they are looking for, such as bungalows, and small detached homes with decent gardens, just do not exist in the volumes needed.”