Grant shapps
Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, is to take a role as architecture specialist to support a government initiative looking to double the number of self-built houses.
One in every 10 new homes constructed in the UK is now done on a self-build basis.
In case you missed anything, here is a rundown of the biggest stories last week.
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I have always been a big fan of the self build movement - even before Grant Shapps announced at the beginning of last year that he was going to turn us into a nation of self builders.
The Prime Minister will unveil plans aimed at turning two million social housing tenants into homeowners later today.
The government is to increase the discount available to social tenants in England, who buy their council house through the right to buy scheme, to £75,000 from April.
The government’s NewBuy housing initiative has officially launched today, with Nationwide, Barclays and NatWest all confirming 95% LTV products.
The government is encouraging older people to rent out their homes to increase income. Is this ever a good idea?
The government plans to introduce a raft of housing measures for the elderly to help them cope in their homes or rent the property, with no reference to the equity release market.
After 18 months in power, the coalition government has finally published a strategy for the housing market - at least, for England.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps was embroiled in a row with John Humphrys who accused the government of being deceptive for announcing the housing strategy on Monday, just a day before figures confirmed 454 affordable homes were built in the six months in 2010.
In a bid to boost the property market and kick-start the economy, David Cameron is set to announce an increase in the amount of government land available for new homebuilding.
Housing Minister has discounted the introduction of rental controls, arguing that previous such legislation caused the private rental sector to shrink by 47%.
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