Our response to the Autumn Budget

Our Group Chief Executive shares her thought's on today's Autumn Budget and the impact it will have on the social housing sector.

"We are pleased to see spending being increased to deliver much needed housing in today’s Autumn Budget announcement by the government; however, the sector still needs longer term income certainty and support for decarbonisation and energy improvement of existing homes which we hope will be confirmed in next year’s Spring Budget.  

“Whilst we understand the Chancellor’s need to balance the budget, the increase in employment costs will put further financial pressures on the sector in a period where our income will increase very little next year with much to be absorbed in terms of increasing regulatory and legislative obligations and will undoubtedly impact on our ability to recruit additional colleagues to support these areas.  

“We will continue to work with the government and its various departments to facilitate growth and our housebuilding mission but will find it harder to do so without further risking erosion in financial strength or reducing  the scale of other deliverables.  

“Finally, we welcome any measures which reduce the loss of social housing through Right to Buy.” 

Photo caption : Elizabeth Froude, Group Chief Executive of Platform Housing Group