State of Play survey launches

SME housebuilders are invited to share their perspectives and experiences in the latest State of Play survey.

The Home Builders Federation, Close Brothers Property Finance and Travis Perkins have launched their annual SME insight survey, now in its sixth year, which offers SMEs the opportunity to give their views on and experiences of the government’s housing policies.

The responses will inform the upcoming State of Play report which will assess the effect of Labour’s early housing policy moves a year on from the general election. The survey covers topics including the impact of regulation and tax burdens on the financial viability of schemes, planning delays and the crisis in the affordable homes section 106 market.

The survey also asks SMEs’ opinions on the policy areas government should focus on to achieve its ambitious housing targets. It also gauges levels of optimism within the industry.

The 2024 State of Play report, published in December 2024, revealed that:

• 94% of SME housebuilders would like the government to do more to support them
• 51% of SMEs waited more than a year to obtain planning permission
• 56% of SMEs reported a 30% increase in the cost of obtaining …