Speaking today following Margaret Beckett’s appointment as housing minister, HBF executive chair Stewart Baseley said; ‘These are critical times for house builders and Government needs to be working closely with the industry if we are to find a way of delivering the new private and social homes this country needs. The recent OFT report showed the industry is fit for purpose, but in the current economic climate we need to see Government action to assist the market and facilitate a way forward that safeguards housing delivery. Beckett inherits a challenging brief and one that needs a decisive Minister who will take the difficult decisions and address the issues we currently face. We look forward to working with her. ” - Ends - Notes to Editors: 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner 020 7960 1606 07919 307 760 steve.turner@hbf.co.uk
