A home of your own

KIT MALTHoUSE is the new housing minister — the 17th in 20 years and the fourth since Theresa May took office.

As the founder of an online mortgage broker, I am well aware of the problems that plague the housing market. What’s clear is that we need not only innovation, but continuity of leadership and a strong hand willing to be brave on policy.

Instead, what we have is a Government that doesn’t seem to be taking the housing issue seriously. In a month’s time, we were expecting to see major changes in the National Planning Policy Framework. How can the public believe any proposal will be delivered when the people who make them don’t stick around?

Everyone should be able to dream of owning a home, but this is increasingly difficult for younger people.

Three key issues need to be addressed: housing supply must be prioritised; piecemeal tax breaks must end; and innovation must be encouraged in the market.

I only hope the new housing minister will stay in the job long enough to have an impact.

ISHAAN MALHI, London WC1.