Housing ‘airbrushed’ out of Tory leadership race

The Tory leadership debates have covered everything from taxes to trans rights but industry executives have lamented the lack of focus on housing.

The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) has said there is a “pitiful” lack of focus from either of the candidates on how they will address the country’s housing crisis. 

Liz Truss has mentioned in previous reports that she would scrap “Stalinist” housebuilding targets while her rival Rishi Sunak has mentioned freeing up more sites, but there has been little else when it comes to the property market.

NAPB spokesman Jonathan Rolande said: “This week it emerged that the average rent has risen by 17% over the past two years, while the average price of a first-time buyer property is up by 13% over the same period.

“Anyone trying to buy or rent a property at the moment will likely be looking on at these numbers with dismay. And they will be even more dismayed by the pitiful lack of ideas from the wannabe Prime Ministers. 

“Once again both candidates had the opportunity to set out how they will deliver solutions to the housing crisis - but neither had a sensible word to say. 

“Housing reform seems to have been airbrushed from the debate with more time spent on how much a pair of earrings or shoes cost. 

“For millions across the country the fact they are unable to own or rent their own home is causing them much distress. They are rightly demanding answers as to how the situation can be improved, but neither Mr Sunak or Ms Truss appear to be speaking to them. 

“We need big, bold and forward-thinking policies in this area which provide solutions for the next 10 and 20 years.”

Before Boris Johnson’s resignation it was reported that the government was discussing offering tax breaks to pensioners looking to move, a move backed by the NAPB to boost property supply.