Home >
UK property >
'Foolish' talk of end to house price boom slammed

'Foolish' talk of end to house price boom slammed

Tuesday, 4 January 2011 2:58 PM

An end to the boom-and-bust pattern in UK house prices is unrealistic, the housing minister has warned.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Grant Shapps said: "It would be foolish to say that you can simply end boom and bust - you can't."

However, he went on to explain policies which the government can introduce to help influence the property market, including measures that affect housing supply, mortgages and how people choose to invest their money.

The comments followed a warning from Shapps that young people face waiting until their mid-30s before setting foot on the property ladder, unless they receive financial help from their parents.

"I want to distance myself from a Brown-esque pledge to end housing boom and bust forever," the minister told Radio 4 listeners. "I don't think it is actually within the gift of one single government to do that."

He added: "I think it would be desirable to have a stable housing market and there are things the government can do. There are policy levers."

Shapps went on to say that the number of Brits struggling to afford a decent home is "crazy" and that rapid price rises in the past had been particularly unhelpful.

Meanwhile, the latest Council of Mortgage Lenders figures suggest that families typically plan to spend more than 20 years in a single property, compared to just 11 years in 2007.

Search property

Property search

Powered by Zoopla.co.uk

Headlines

Directory

AQVA

Aqva intends to make your life refreshing, right from the start of your day until you unwind. At Aqva they offer ground-breaking products & solutions, whilst keeping in mind your wellbeing. They specialise in embellishing your home decor, kitchen and bathroom with their best quality products & solutions.

Bathrooms365

Bathroom365 supply all areas of your new bathroom - leading-edge designed bathroom suites, stylish bathroom taps and showers, all styles and forms of shower enclosures and a vast collection of bathroom furniture.

BiGDUG

BiGDUG offers amazing value on a huge range of storage, shelving and racking products with thousands of happy customers across the UK. They specialise in industrial shelving and have a great range of high quality purpose-made shelving and racking at your disposal.

Bespoke Kitchens

Bespoke Kitchens offers you something special, very affordable and without compromising quality. Most of all though, we offer you exactly what you want for much less than you might think.

Landlord Insurance

Landlord Insurance will provide you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that should disaster strike you and your properties are protected against financial consequences.

Moroccan Bazaar

An established global suppliers of Moroccan goods and furnishings, they have over 3000 products in their range and are always looking for new and exciting items to add.

MyStampDuty

We help people buying property all over the UK to minimise Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential and commercial property. If you are looking at purchasing a new home or business premises over £500,000, contact us today by completing the form on the right

Oak Furniture Land

For hardwood furniture, including Solid Oak, Mango, Mahogany, Sheesham, Acacia, Ash and Birch, look no further than Oak Furniture Land.

Countryside Properties

We have a fantastic selection of new homes throughout the UK. We offer a great range of new homes in desirable locations that are excellent value for money.

Rated People

Whatever type of home improvement or garden remodelling project you have, Rated People can help you to identify the right tradesmen for the job in a way that is quick, easy, convenient and, as it is based on real-life recommendations, trustworthy.

Residential Land

If you are looking for short or long term rentals in Central London, Residential Land have a portfolio of over 1200 flats and houses in the best postcodes across the Capital.

Ryder International

The Solid Wood Flooring Company offers wood flooring of the highest quality which is made specifically for the UK market.

Simply Bedrooms

Simply Bedrooms, a part of Sleepwell Bedrooms Ltd, supplying quality beds, wardrobes, sliding door wardrobes and bedroom furniture at low prices and great service, London and Home Counties Specialists.

Splash Direct

Splash Direct, a leading name in online bathroom retail. With a fabulous range of bathroom suites and bathroom accessories and a strong commitment to customer experience, they aim to be the best choice for buying bathrooms and bathroom fixtures and fittings. They believe bathing needn’t be an inconvenient social ritual. Everybody deserves a bathroom space in which they feel comfortable, where legs can be stretched and the stress of a hard-day’s work can be washed away. With this in mind they offer a range that includes the best of contemporary interior design: between stylish basins, shower enclosures and toilets, everything you need for your dream bathroom.

Door Handles UK

Door Handles UK is the UK's largest online range of Door Handle accessories, Door Hinges, Locks and Latches and so much more and all at genuine internet prices. We have a wide range of Chrome, Brass and Glass Crystal Mortice door knobs in both traditional and contemporary designs, whatever your taste and budget you will find a design to suit.

UK Flooring Direct

UK Flooring Direct have over 25 years experience in the flooring industry specialising in carpet, vinyl, cork and lino flooring bringing customers the very best deals the UK has to offer.

Waltons

Waltons Garden Buildings have a fantastic range of garden sheds direct that are delivered across the UK for free. Wooden sheds are by far the most popular outdoor building in the UK and their multi-functional and practical purposes ensure that this versatile structure can be tailored to suit your needs. Waltons have a variety of different styles and sizes to suit all properties and requirements.

Woodlands Furniture

We are an established family business situated in rural Herefordshire specialising in beautiful handcrafted classic reproduction furniture. Our comprehensive ranges are readily available from stock.

WowBBQ

Welcome to the World of Weber. We are the largest independent online Weber BBQ retailer in the United Kingdom. WOWbbq.co.uk is a Weber Partner Store and can give you the best advice for all your Weber BBQ needs.

Join our directory

Twitter

Follow @aboutproperty

Join the conversation at #aboutproperty

Directory articles

Making the most of a brand new home for first-time buyers

Moving into a new home is a daunting and overwhelming experience for anyone, particularly if it's for the first time. Finding the right balance between a stylish decor and one that will last for years to come is not always easy, but there are plenty of ways of getting value for money without breaking the bank.

A guide to choosing a dishwasher

A dishwasher is a great investment for all types of home; if you have a family to look after, a dishwasher might cut the number of daily tasks around the home, while busy couples who spend a lot of time at work can relax in the evenings, letting the dishwasher tackle dirty crockery.

Creating the perfect bedroom for your kids

Kids can be a handful and tend to take up a lot of time, so giving them their ideal bedroom could be just what you need to get a bit of peace of quiet and provide them with what they require to stay happy. Whatever your child's tastes, there are plenty of great home decorating ideas out there - read on to hear some of our suggestions.

Tuesday, 4 January 2011 2:58 PM

Related stories

Headlines

Newsletter sign up

Join our directory

Twitter