WIREDGOV

"Councils across the country agree that there simply aren't enough new homes being built. We desperately need more housing, and we need a mixture that includes private, social, affordable and rental properties.

"The private rented sector has a key role to play in providing new homes. Councils are keen to support the sector in providing good quality homes which meet housing demand as well as the expectations of tenants. Many local authorities are developing schemes to ensure the availability of high quality rental properties.

"Different areas are in need of different types of new housing which is why it will remain crucial that local authorities have the flexibility to use the planning system to encourage growth while ensuring areas get the type of new homes needed.

"Any strategy to boost the number of new rental homes should not come at the expense of new affordable housing, and councils will, in consultation with their residents, always seek to ensure a suitable balance between the need for private rental property and new affordable homes.

"Local authorities across the country have been working to overcome some of the barriers to new building by contributing land and assets, forming partnerships with developers and overwhelmingly saying ‘yes' to growth through the planning system.

"But, crucially, Government needs to address the lack of liquidity in the finance market and limited availability of mortgages which are the real obstacles standing in the way of a resurgence in new house building and helping people to secure finance to purchase a home."