The government's drive to bring empty homes back onto the market, though an important part of the drive to boost housing numbers, will not solve the UK's housng crisis according to Kate Barker. Barker, the Bank of England economist who recently completed a review of the causes of housing undersupply, told a conference today (May 26) that the number of homes in key areas that could be brought back to the market is "not very significant". "You cannot expect the programme to bring empty homes back onto the market to make a major contribution to housing supply. It would be a mistake to think that," she said. Barker also told the conference that there should be a comprehensive review of the effect of demand on the housing situation.