Housebuilders says new levy threatens jobs and affordable housing

Housebuilders have spoken out against a new extension to the Building Safety Levy announced today by housing secretary Michael Gove, calling it “disproportionate” and a threat to businesses, jobs and affordable housing provision.

The new levy is expected to raise up to £3 billion to fix “orphan” buildings between 11m and 18m high where those responsible for the buildings cannot be identified. It will be chargeable on all new residential buildings in England and is additional to the Residential Property Developer Tax - a new 4% surcharge on corporation tax payable by large developers from April 1 this year.

The new levy is also in addition to the building safety pledge in which developers agree to fix all their buildings over 11m high built in the past 30 years.

HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley said today: “We fully support the principle that leaseholders should not pay to remediate their buildings. UK housebuilders have already committed to remediate all their own buildings, plus £3 billion (through RPDT) to pay for those built by foreign builders, local authorities and other parties. Any further levy is not proportionate and poses a serious threat to businesses, jobs, investment in new …