The government's positive attitude to housebuilding and its importance in driving growth in the UK is the biggest Opportunity facing the industry according to Housebuilder's exclusive annual SWOT analysis, the results of which are revealed this month. The shortage of housing supply remains the industry's biggest Strength. <br> <br> However, as with last year, the restricted mortgage market remains the industry's biggest Weakness and the Threat of further restrictions in lending is still paramount.<br> <br> The annual analysis is compiled by collecting the votes and views of a panel of industry experts including housebuilders, suppliers, consultants, trade federations and market commentators. This year's 26-strong panel includes leading housebuilders such as Taylor Wimpey ceo Pete Redfern, Persimmon boss Mike Farley, Galliford Try md Ian Baker and Miller ceo Chris Endsor. The panel voted strongly in favour of the mortgage challenges as the main Threat, but the European debt crisis surged into second place this year, its first appearance in the chart. "The housebuilding sector is finely balanced … (but) the underlying economy is tough and fears around the fate of the Eurozone continue to undermine confidence," said CALA ceo Alan Brown.<br> <br> The voting in the Opportunity category was much tighter, …