"The housing crisis is a major issue in the UK, and our research shows that there is a lack of confidence among homeowners and homebuyers that the government is addressing it."
The specialist lender commissioned an independent survey of 1,323 UK homeowners, finding that just 21% feel the government is taking sufficient action to address the country’s housing crisis, with 69% stating that the lack of affordable housing is one of the most pressing social issues in the UK.
The Bank of England’s base rate has risen 12 consecutive times since December 2021, jumping from 0.1% to 4.5%. 28% of homeowners think the government has done enough to support people with mortgages during this period.
In the same time period, there have been six different housing ministers, and the survey revealed that just 20% of homeowners are aware of who the current housing minister is (Rachel Maclean MP).
Meanwhile, after the government dropped its mandatory housebuilding targets in December 2022, 58% of homeowners consider the government to be prioritising property taxation and regulation, rather than building new homes.
MFS’s research also found that 31% of homeowners believe that high inflation and rising interest rates will result in a property market crash in the next 12 months.
Positively, however, 52% see property as a safe investment in the current climate.
Paresh Raja, CEO of MFS, said: “The housing crisis is a major issue in the UK, and our research shows that there is a lack of confidence among homeowners and homebuyers that the government is addressing it. This is likely, in part, a reflection of the turbulence Westminster has experienced in the last year, with changes of leadership bringing about new priorities.
“With interest rates rising rapidly in the last 18 months, the study clearly highlights that some homeowners feel left behind, so supporting those with mortgages and encouraging more housebuilding ought to be at the top of the government’s to-do list.
“In the meantime, it is encouraging that, despite some fears of a crash in the next 12 months, most homeowners continue to see the property market as a safe investment in the current climate. Indeed, as prices began to rise again last month, it is important for lenders to provide buyers with flexible products to enable the market to continue its resurgence in the months to come.”
