As the discussion comes to a close the four participants seem to be in agreement. The builder, the planner, the professor and the policy advocate are all clear that there is no need for a housing crisis and the best way to avoid one is for the beareaucrats to act to their briefs rather than their fears. In the final conclusion the carrot and stick approach, so successful with donkeys, appears to be the way the group favours dealing with the obstacles to progress. what is stopping all this is Treasury Accounting Rules and our specifically odd definition of ‘public sector borrowing’ – this is out of line with EU norms – Adrian gives an example of bureaucratic inertia and lack of imagination in respect of money they are receiving from the Treasury to cover housing benefit outlays – they cannot commit to a 25 timescale of return on housing even though hospitals and schools are continually funded from Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) that provide a less certain and longer-term return – it is not a lack of legal powers that constrain local authorities – it is lack of imagination and political will – to summarise – housing is low down the political agenda – there has been a endless stream of less than inspiring Housing Ministers for a very long time

See the Z2K Response to the 2009 UK Budget

Z2K Housing Review April 2009 Issue One: Contents