It has been well publicised that there are a number of significant factors that could prevent the government from reaching its ambitious housebuilding targets of 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

While the revised National Planning Policy Framework is a positive starting point, which sets out how this can be achieved, we need further clarity on the much-needed support to enable housebuilders to deliver this.

Simplifying and funding the planning system to reduce the number of sites stalled is a key priority. Another is providing fiscal stimulus to help first-time buyers take their first steps on to the property ladder, one that we see acutely at Gleeson Homes as an affordable housebuilder