The latest household projections from the ODPM predict:
The new Office of the Deputy Prime Minister household projections are based on updated projections of household formation taking account of the 2001 Census and on the Office for National Statistics' sub-national population projections and the Government Actuary Department's national population projections (2003 based). The household projections are trend based and indicate what would happen if past demographic changes continue.
English Partnerships completed one of its biggest single acquisitions with the £100 million purchase of the disused Oakington Barracks in Cambridgeshire. The 288 hectare site is set to unlock the development of the proposed new town of Northstowe, creating up to 10,000 new homes.
Five miles from the centre of Cambridge, Northstowe will contribute to the region's growth agenda and ease pressure on the Cambridge housing market, which currently suffers from a shortage of new and affordable homes. Of particular interest is the Government's aim to set the 'sustainability' standard through the development of Northstowe.
ODPM Minister for Communities and Local Government David Miliband said: "More sustainable housing has a vital role to play in tackling climate change. This is why we have increased energy efficiency standards for new buildings by 40% since 2002, setting further stretching standards through our Code for Sustainable Homes and reviewing the sustainability of our existing stock."
Margaret Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships said: "This is another significant example of government agencies working together to bring forward surplus land effectively and for the benefit of local communities. The land at Oakington will make a significant contribution to Northstowe where a new and sustainable community offering homes, amenities, jobs and open space is planned in an area of housing need."
Since 2003 English Partnerships has acquired more than 2,000 ha of surplus land, which is expected to provide around 20,000 homes nationally over the next 10 years as part of a comprehensive regeneration programme.
As well as these significant acquisitions, English Partnerships has introduced a range of other initiatives aimed at ensuring public sector land is used more effectively. These include the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land - a comprehensive database currently listing more than 700 sites, owned by 40 public sector agencies, totalling almost 5,000 ha of land.
Details were unveiled of how the new Shared Equity Taskforce plans to extend the opportunities for young people to get a first step on the housing ladder.
Run jointly by the ODPM and the Treasury, the taskforce will look at the potential for Government intervention in the shared equity market, particularly the scope to work in partnership with the private sector. The aim is to increase the number of people able to benefit from shared equity programmes and help the growing number of 'intermediate' households, building on the success in helping key workers into homeownership.
It is estimated that over 1 million households have incomes too high to qualify for Housing Benefit, but too low to buy a home of their own. The Government believes there is significant potential for shared ownership schemes to bridge the divide between social renting and full homeownership.
The taskforce, led by Housing Minister Yvette Cooper and Treasury Minister John Healey, will identify the longer term potential for shared equity products and what the potential constraints may be to widening shared equity schemes to benefit more people. The taskforce will also identify the current products available and in development, consider the potential for take-up, and assess the impacts and benefits of increased shared equity programmes on local and national housing markets and the wider economy.
The taskforce will be assisted by an expert advisory panel. Membership of the panel will include representatives from the finance industry, house builders, local authorities and housing associations. Already, a number of experienced practitioners and academics have signed up to sit on the advisory panel, including: David Pretty (Barratts), Peter Williams (Council of Mortgage Lenders), Kate Davies (Notting Hill), Steve Wilcox (University of York), Julie Cowans (Joseph Rowntree Foundation), and Sarah Webb (Chartered Institute of Housing). It is expected that the taskforce will report by the end of this year, ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review next year.
The Shared Equity Taskforce is part of a package of measures to help first-time buyers and deliver more homes for future generations. From the beginning of April there will be 23 new 'Homebuy Agents' covering every region in the country. These will be one-stop shops to give first-time buyers clear advice on how they could be helped by the new Homebuy scheme, by buying a part share in properties with the rest of the costs met by lenders and registered social landlords.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm set up a working group to examine ways of resolving the problem of insufficient affordable housing in high-pressure areas across Scotland.
Known as the Affordable Housing Working Party, the group will be established with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Its remit will be to respond to the difficulties encountered in matching the supply of and demand for affordable housing.
The Group will examine the effectiveness of planning guidance in Scotland. It will also look at the problem of land shortage and canvass for liaison between public bodies in making sites for affordable housing available.