Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation said today, "Whilst welcoming any steps aimed at stimulating the housing market, today's announcement clearly is not enough. We have been warning Government for months now of the implications for the wider economy of not taking steps to address the situation in the housing market and the consequences of a lack of action are now becoming clear. The implications for the Government's own long term housing targets are also clear, as it is only private house builders that can deliver the much needed housing this country needs, both private and social. We will continue to work with Government on the further measures they mention in the hope that they will assist in bringing much needed confidence and stability to the market." - 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 2. It is estimated that whilst around 300,000 people are employed in building homes many more are employed either directly or indirectly in servicing the housing industry. From white collar workers such as solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers, insurance clerks to removals men, utility connection companies, brick, concrete and other material manufacturers, white goods and electrical providers, carpet/ kitchen/curtain manufacturers - there are a great many businesses and jobs reliant on house building and the residential property market. 3. Government targets announced last year for new homes are for the industry to be building 240,000 a year by 2016; and a total of 3M by 2020 For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner 020 7960 1606 07919 307 760 steve.turner@hbf.co.uk
