UKREiiF Leeds 2023: Government should 'reset relationship with housebuilders', warns Bob Kerslake

Sir Bob, a former chief executive of Sheffield City Council who was head of Civil Service between 2012 and 2014, is the chair of the advisory group for UKREiif.

He said: “I know this is going to be a year that is very interesting politically. Housing will be a central issue.

"Labour have recently set out their stall about what they think needs to happen in this area. Whatever differences there are on this issue, I know we’re all united in wanting to see this country grow and prosper after what's been a pretty difficult time. Pretty simply, we are all patriots.”

He said he was pleased the conference was being addressed by Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson but added he was concerned about falling levels of available housing stock.

"The one thing I would say gently is I think the Government does need to look at resetting its relationship with the housebuilding industry. It has been a difficult time in that relationship, in the aftermath of Grenfell and the need to tackle safety issues and some very contested issues around planning and development.

"I would say to the minister, rebuild that relationship and let’s get the country growing and building again.”

His comments come after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak caved to pressure last year from Tory backbenchers to make the target of building 300,000 houses a year in England advisory rather than mandatory.

Labour has accused the Government of “abandoning” first-time buyers, suggesting only a third of children born in England this year will own a home by the time they reach their 50s. Its proposals include include the introduction of a target of 70 per cent home ownership and pushing power back to communities by allowing local authorities to regain control.

Lord Johnson told the conference that the Government is determined to strike the right balance on planning.

He said: “We are a liberal property owning democracy and the requires powerful frameworks on one hand to ensure that we have an appopriate amount of friction between free development and people’s rights in terms of people who own existing properties. On the other we have to have a forward-thinking planning framework that enables you as planners, investors and developers to have certainty and predictability.

“We are extremely keen to make sure the planning system works for you and for the citizens of this country. If we can get that balance right, I foresee a huge further wave of investment coming into this country.”