With the Chancellor’s next Budget fast approaching, the housebuilding industry is watching closely for signs of support and stability. A recent survey by Cognisant has shed light on what the sector is hoping to see, and the message from industry leaders is clear: the market needs measures that will stimulate demand and restore confidence.
Demand for Action: The Industry’s Priorities
Cognisant’s survey asked leaders across the built environment a straightforward question:
“What’s the one thing you’d most like to see in the forthcoming Budget to help the housebuilding sector thrive?”
The responses reveal a sector focused on both short-term recovery and long-term reform:
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62% of respondents identified Stamp Duty reform and buyer incentives as the top priority.
These measures are seen as crucial to boosting demand and encouraging buyers back into the market at a time when affordability and sentiment remain key challenges. -
22% called for planning and land use reform to accelerate development.
A more efficient, consistent, and responsive planning system would help unlock sites and bring forward much-needed housing supply. -
9% highlighted the need for tax relief and stronger support for SMEs, whose ability to deliver smaller, locally-focused developments is vital to the overall health of the market.
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8% pointed to reform of Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) as a way to remove barriers to delivery and streamline the process of getting homes built.
A Call for Stability and Confidence
These findings reflect a sector that is eager for stability and sustained growth. From encouraging homebuyers to unlocking land for development, the industry is looking for a policy environment that restores confidence and creates momentum.
At Muller Property Group, we understand how deeply these issues affect the pace and viability of housing delivery. As a business committed to identifying and bringing forward sustainable development opportunities, we see firsthand how planning challenges, market uncertainty, and policy shifts shape outcomes on the ground.
The message from Cognisant’s survey is a timely reminder: to meet the UK’s housing needs, the next Budget must deliver a framework that supports both developers and buyers alike.
Supporting a Stronger Future for Housebuilding
Muller Property Group remains committed to working collaboratively across the sector, with planners, policymakers, and development partners, to help deliver the homes and communities the UK needs.
A Budget that stimulates demand, reforms planning, and builds confidence would be a powerful step toward achieving that goal.
