Transcript A Perfect Storm introduction

A Perfect Storm?
Andrew Pritchard
Director of Policy &
Infrastructure
Welfare Reform
Bedroom tax/spare room subsidy (April
2013)
 Benefits Cap (from July 2013)
 Annual increases in benefits limited to 1%
 Universal Credit (from October 2013)
 Localisation (& reduction) of Council Tax
Benefit
 Work Programme (ongoing)
 Adult Social Care White Paper
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Housing Reform
50% reduction in public investment in
social housing
 Introduction of ‘affordable rent’ (80% of
market rent)
 Re-invigorated right to buy
 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Reform
 Greater emphasis on private rented sector
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Planning Reform
Abolition of regional targets for market and
affordable housing and for G&T pitch
provision (but not supporting evidence…)
 Introduction of NPPF
 Greater emphasis on ‘viability’
 Neighbourhood planning
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At a time of economic uncertainty…
Low GDP growth
 Falling productivity
 Rising unemployment
 Low income growth
 Relatively high inflation
 Interest rates at an all time low - but
access to finance still a problem
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How does it all add up?
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Will there be sufficient accommodation for people to
down-size to?
Will the benefits cap drive internal migration?
Is the affordable rent model viable everywhere?
What will happen to those who cannot pay and
cannot move?
What will be the impact on local economies and
housing markets?
What will be the impact on local planning - both
policy and development management?
Are we heading for a ‘perfect storm’?
…or will it all be OK in the end?