SWOT update shines light on government actions

In our 2023 SWOT analysis the emphasis of the respondents was very much on the “T” – the Threats facing the industry. Several of our panellists, which comprise housebuilders, analysts, experts and suppliers, suggested that they could have made a lot longer list of Threats than the four they were asked for. In the end “A return to recession/economic and political uncertainty” topped the list ahead of “Rising interest rates/restricted mortgages” and “Changes to the planning system.”

Six months on, and it is Threats again that are exercising the mind – there are still many, say our respondents, but the emphasis has changed. The government, it seems, has barged its way to the top of the Threats list having been in fourth place last September.