<p>The government will solve “the national productivity puzzle”, partly by “fixing the broken housing market”, the prime minister Boris Johnson said today (October 6).</p> <p>Delivering his keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, the PM said that “housing in the right place at an affordable price” would boost people’s contentment and their “productivity”. </p> <p>Johnson also stated that his government was “turning the tide” on declining home ownership over the past 20 years. </p> <p>He said: “<span>We have not only built more homes than at any time in the last 30 years</span>, w<span>e are helping young people on to the property ladder</span> <span>with our 95% mortgages</span>. A<span>nd there is no happiness like taking a set of keys</span> <span>and knowing that the place is yours</span> <span>and you can paint the front door any colour you like</span>.”<span></span></p> <p>The PM added that housing, alongside energy and transport, were significant elements of people’s monthly expenses. But fixing these would benefit all: “<span>By fixing our broken housing market</span>, <span>by sorting out our energy supply – more wind, more nuclear, becoming less dependent on hydrocarbons from abroad</span> - <span>by putting in those transport links</span>, <span>we will hold costs down and save you money</span>.” And …