Ahead of George Osborne’s Budget on Wednesday next week, the BSA has asked the Chancellor to speed up the release of land with planning consent to increase house building. It said greater focus was required from the government and that existing schemes could be better utilised.
The BSA added that the government should follow the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly in assessing the structure of Stamp Duty. The BSA is seeking a removal of the slab structure in favour of a tapered tax rate.
It is also looking for the creation of a cross-department housing minister who can create more ambitious housing policy.
Adrian Coles, director-general of the BSA, said: “House building is an important growth engine for the economy and we have a desperate need for more homes.
“Government must do more to make this happen. Similarly we now need government to step up and do something tangible to help savers whose rates have been decimated by four years of an ultra-low bank rate.
“A temporary moratorium on the taxation of savings interest would benefit millions whose self-help ethic is being eroded.”
The trade organisation is also seeking increased protection for homeowners who live in areas prone to flooding and greater support for savers.
