Call to end the green belt ban

RULES that ban building on the green belt should be scrapped, a think tank has suggested.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said a shortage of houses is holding back UK growth.

It also warned poor skills and a lack of investment in infrastructure and research are hampering productivity.

Among the other recommendations in the international think tank’s report, Going for Growth, were more toll roads, an expansion in vocational education and better provision of social housing.

It said: ‘Governments cannot afford to let up on reform if they want to escape the low-growth trap many are facing and to ensure that the gains of economic growth benefit the vast majority of citizens.’