The government is lining up a consultation process around the scope of the New Homes Ombudsman, which housebuilders will be legally required to join.

Speaking this week at the Home Builders Federation policy conference, communities secretary James Brokenshire said the government would soon consult on the details of how homebuyers would be protected by the new watchdog and how it would “champion quality of build”.

“In the interim we will work with [the industry] to raise standards and ensure that problems encountered by consumers are resolved faster and more effectively,” Brokenshire added.