The Conservatives have unveiled plans to scrap stamp duty and overhaul housebuilding regulations, describing the programme as the “biggest deregulation project in a generation”. Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith announced the plans at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, promising wide-ranging tax and regulatory reform if the party returns to government.
Housing featured prominently in the proposals. The Conservatives claim the reforms could cut the price of a new-build home by as much as £50,000. The party plans to abolish stamp duty on property purchases and scrap the Future Homes Standard, along with proposed housebuilding rules covering low-carbon heating technology.
Planning overhaul and regulatory changes
The Conservatives would replace Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy with a single developer charge. The party says this would simplify the system and accelerate development. It also plans to abolish Natural England and the Environment Agency, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs taking over their functions.
Griffith told delegates he wanted to cut at least one tax at every Budget under a future Conservative government. He said: “Like Nigel Lawson, it’s my ambition to scrap at least one tax every budget. What would we prioritise? There’s a lot.” Shadow housing secretary Katie Lam also set out the party’s housing plans, calling for fewer regulations and barriers to housing and infrastructure development.
Industry reactions and concerns
Property industry figures have questioned the claim that the reforms could knock £50,000 off new-build prices. Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, welcomed the focus on housing supply and planning reform. He said: “Propertymark welcomes the focus on increasing housing supply, simplifying planning and making it easier for people to move home.” Douglas said delays and complexity within the planning system can increase costs and hold back development.
He also backed the proposal to abolish stamp duty but urged caution over scrapping the Future Homes Standard. Douglas added: “Ultimately, planning reform alone will not solve the housing crisis.” He said the industry would judge the proposals on whether they increase housing supply and improve affordability, and questioned whether buyers would benefit from the claimed £50,000 saving. He added: “Policy makers must not make cost saving at the expense of quality and standards, a balance will need to be struck.”
Build quality and environmental safeguards
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said deregulation could help smaller developers but warned against removing important safeguards. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “Cutting poorly developed regulation could help get Britain building, but deregulation must be proportionate as effective laws lead to improvements. Essential environmental protections and sensible solutions to improve homes cannot simply be swept away.”
New homes snagging company HomeSnag raised concerns about build quality. Founder Tom Britton said: “Before replacing new-build energy standards, the focus should be on making sure homes are actually being built to the standards already required.” Britton said inspections regularly uncover missing insulation and draughts, defects that can undermine the intended energy efficiency of new homes.
Environmental campaign group CPRE also raised concerns about the proposals. Chief executive Roger Mortlock said the plans could put countryside protections at risk, though the group welcomed the proposed simpler infrastructure levy. Mortlock added: “But cutting red tape is no silver bullet.” The Conservatives would need to return to government before they could implement the proposals.
