July 14th 2024.
What could be the cause of the increasing housing prices? Many readers have shared their insights on this issue. As part of their efforts to address the housing crisis, Labour has announced their plan to build 1.5 million homes, including affordable and council housing. But can they actually achieve this goal? Will they be able to do what the previous government failed to do?
One reader in today's MetroTalk pointed out that it's not the government who builds houses, but the big house builders. So, while Labour is setting targets, it is ultimately the responsibility of these big house builders to actually construct the homes. On the other hand, some argue that it's not the planning rules that are preventing house building, but rather the big house builders' own interests. They are more concerned with supply and demand, as hitting a yearly target could result in a decrease in house prices and profits.
However, others believe that the housing crisis can only be solved by investing in real social housing. Unfortunately, no government is willing to do this as it could potentially cause a collapse in the housing market. This is a dilemma that needs to be addressed by the government.
Moving on to foreign investment, many believe that it is contributing to the inflation of UK housing prices. It's no secret that UK property is big business abroad, with many properties being marketed and sold in countries like Hong Kong before they are even built. As of 2023, there are over 30,000 foreign companies owning properties in the UK. This raises the question of the ratio between properties owned by UK citizens and non-UK citizens in the country.
As for the greenbelt, there are differing opinions on whether it should be sacrificed to make room for growth. Some argue that there is plenty of wasted green space in England that could easily be used for building affordable homes. Meanwhile, others believe that the Nimbys (Not In My Backyard) need to stop hindering progress and embrace change for the greater good.
Another topic of discussion is the recent water bill hikes approved by regulator Ofwat. While the increase might not be as high as the water companies had hoped, some readers are still not satisfied. They believe that the companies should use money from dividends and bonuses instead of continuously burdening consumers with higher bills. Furthermore, there are concerns about how much of the bill payments actually go towards improving the water systems, as well as the hefty bonuses given to company CEOs.
Lastly, there's the issue of water usage. Some argue that people should be using less water, especially when it comes to showering. However, others point out that not everyone has the luxury of taking a shower every day, with some people only showering once a week. This brings up the issue of access to basic necessities and highlights the inequality in our society.
In the end, the housing crisis, foreign investment, greenbelt sacrifice, rising water bills, and water usage all tie back to the larger issue of societal progress being hindered by self-interest and inequality. It's important for us to share our thoughts and have conversations about these topics in order to find solutions that benefit everyone. So, what are your thoughts on these issues? Share them in the comments and let's continue the discussion.
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