All articles by Roger Humber
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NewsZero carbon agenda could destory SMEs: Ways and means
If the government is really serious about reducing overall carbon emissions, it doesn’t do to be too precious about the means to the end. Just make sure SMEs can bear the burden
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NewsTaylor Wimpey merger will mean fewer homes
Housebuilders are consolidating to remain profitable in the face of restrictive planning policy. The end result - fewer homes in the areas where they are needed most, says the House Builders Alliance's strategic policy adviser.
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Comment
Barker but no bite
After Kate Barker's review of housing supply, the industry looked forward to tough changes sparking a housing bonanza. Get one thing straight - it isn't going to happen
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Comment
Why are we so stiff?
Takeovers and an over-complex planning system have forced small housebuilders out – and robbed the industry of its ability to respond to changes in demand
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Comment
Logic of the madhouse
The government is trying to improve housing supply by making housebuilders' job so onerous that they would rather build their homes in China than Chingford
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Comment
The housing block
Forget about the Treasury's five tests for joining the euro – the fact is we can't do any such thing until we solve the undersupply of housing. This is why...
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Comment
Come back, Peter Walker
To meet the ever-increasing housing demand in the South-east, Prescott needs radical solutions. He could do worse than look to an old Tory for inspiration
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Comment
A shot in the dark
The cavalier way ministers have dealt with planning reforms could mean that the promised bright new dawn in planning turns quickly into a long cold night …
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Comment
The truth hurts
At last week's urban summit, John Prescott went in for a spot of housebuilder bashing. In fact, the real villain of the housing fiasco can be found closer to home
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News
Blame Prescott
The deputy prime minister has decided to deliver us from the housing crisis he did so much to bring about. So, er, why isn't he building more homes?
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Comment
Falconer-free planning
Bye-bye Byers, and farewell Falconer, too – which is a splendid opportunity for people of goodwill to create a planning system that actually works. So, let's take it
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News
Opinion
As Marx observed after Louis Napoleon seized power in 1850, in a toy-town repeat of the great Bonaparte's earlier coup: History repeats itself "first as tragedy, then as farce". The same thought came to mind on hearing Lord Charlie of the Ivory Dome's announcement that prefabs were the answer to ...
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Comment
Blind man's bluff
The government's response to Britain's chronic housing shortage isn't so much bad as nonexistent. Falconer is just pretending nothing is wrong
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Features
Our new police state
The government has taken control of housing, and the result is more mergers and takeovers – and a disastrous slump in the number of homes being built
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Features
2200 housing associations have 5 years to comply with 37 performance indicators. Can they handle it?
In our new regular section on housing, Victoria Madine reveals how housing associations have been given five years to comply with the Egan agenda, and overleaf, Roger Humber bemoans the forced nationalisation of housebuilding
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Comment
A right Charlie
Charlie Luxton, TV's latest wunderkind, should stop spouting misguided opinions that play into the hands of the anti-housing, pro-Tory home counties