Government should set up cross-departmental housing delivery unit, says think tank

The government should establish a cross departmental housing delivery unit, a think tank has suggested.

Radix Big Tent Housing Commission said the unit could coordinate policy delivery across departments and engage with stakeholders such as the Bank of England and financial and utility regulators.

The call forms part of the think tank’s housing sector “Christmas list”, published on Christmas Day.

“Our first Commission report in Oct 2024 noted that ‘too often, policies fell into a battleground between departments rather than benefiting from strategic leadership focused on delivery,” Alex Notay, commission chair, said.

“This cross-departmental Housing Delivery Unit would get Government departments out of their silos and working more effectively within and across the complex housing ecosystem.”

>>See also: Housing Forum appoints placemaking expert Alex Notay as chief executive

Its list also includes the removal of VAT to make it cheaper for owners and landlords of older homes to undertake environmental renovations like insulation, window replacement and heating system upgrades, as well as the publication of the delayed Future Homes Standard.

The commission has also called for the government to make heat pumps more affordable by moving to an energy market model where electricity prices can fall below gas prices before banning gas boilers.