Stewart Baseley executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation<br><br>“The effect the housing market is having on the wider economy alone demands that action is taken. But if we are to deliver the government’s target of 3 million new homes, a figure based on this country’s need following years of undersupply, action must be immediate and decisive. To not do so is merely storing up bigger supply problems further down the line. “We need action to get liquidity back in to the mortgage market - that is the crux of the current problems. Once we have that, measures to assist first time buyers and increase confidence such as a stamp duty holiday, and a government backed savings scheme, should be introduced. “Housebuilders had been increasing their capacity and output until the credit crunch pulled the carpet from under them - but only they can deliver the private and social houses we need. To retain capacity, action is needed to see stock more effectively transferred to the public sector, where need is growing. “Longer term, more land must come through the planning system. Sensible discussions are also needed about regulatory requirements: zero carbon homes, lifetime homes, CIL, affordable housing etc – you …