The chronic under-supply of housing in Britain may lead to rising rents and house prices. The government’s planning reforms may go some way to encouraging more development, but stronger incentives are needed.

Abstract

Recent reports of shortages of housing supply in the UK may raise concerns about rising rents and house prices. Henry Overman argues that while recent government planning reforms may help to tackle the under-supply of housing, more long term solutions are needed such as stronger incentives and the possibility of building on Greenfield sites