Sajid Javid challenges Philip Hammond to “think big” to tackle housing crisis

Reportedly Javid has put pressure on the Chancellor to borrow £50bn to accelerate the Tory housebuilding programme.

Sajid Javid challenges Philip Hammond to “think big” to tackle housing crisis

Communities secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) has challenged Chancellor Philip Hammond to “think big” to tackle the housing crisis in next week’s Budget.

Reportedly Javid has put pressure on the Chancellor to borrow £50bn to accelerate the Tory housebuilding programme.

Javid said: “What we need now is a giant leap. You wouldn’t know it if you listened to some people.

“Even today, I still hear from those who say that there isn’t a problem with housing in this country.

“That affordability is only a problem for Millennials that spend too much on nights out and smashed avocados. It’s nonsense.”

He added: “The generation crying out for help with housing is not over-entitled.

“They want simple fairness, moral justice, the opportunity to play by the same rules enjoyed by those who came before them.”

There were 217,350 housing additions in England from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, a 15% increase from the year before but 2.8% below levels in 2007/8.