Rishi Sunak’s housing proposals would worsen the cost of living crisis, says IEA expert
28 July 2022
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In the Media
IEA Research discussed in CapX
28 July 2022
Press Release
Government and Institutions
Commenting on Rishi Sunak’s housing proposals, Matthew Lesh, Head of Public Policy at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“Rishi Sunak’s housing proposals would flush aspiration down the drain. It reveals a serious lack of ambition to reform the country and boost living standards.
“The ‘green belt’ is a misnomer. It does not protect green space, it restricts the ability of cities to expand in the name of preventing urban sprawl. In practice, however, it has failed in that goal and instead pushed urban growth further afield, resulting in less productive cities, longer commutes and more pollution.
“Planning restrictions significantly push up the cost of living, while making homeownership unattainable, forcing people into lowering paying jobs and increasing commute times and pollution. There are smart solutions, like street votes, that can achieve more housebuilding with local support.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: media@iea.org.uk, 07763 365520IEA spokespeople are available for interview and further comment.
Further IEA reading:
‘Cutting Through: How to address the cost of living crisis’, edited by Matthew Lesh and Kristian Niemietz
“Rishi Sunak’s housing proposals would flush aspiration down the drain. It reveals a serious lack of ambition to reform the country and boost living standards.
“The ‘green belt’ is a misnomer. It does not protect green space, it restricts the ability of cities to expand in the name of preventing urban sprawl. In practice, however, it has failed in that goal and instead pushed urban growth further afield, resulting in less productive cities, longer commutes and more pollution.
“Planning restrictions significantly push up the cost of living, while making homeownership unattainable, forcing people into lowering paying jobs and increasing commute times and pollution. There are smart solutions, like street votes, that can achieve more housebuilding with local support.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: media@iea.org.uk, 07763 365520IEA spokespeople are available for interview and further comment.
Further IEA reading:
‘Cutting Through: How to address the cost of living crisis’, edited by Matthew Lesh and Kristian Niemietz
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