Another call for house building

Graham_Devon

This time from the B&Q boss, who was a key figures behind Osbourne, who states housebuilding, and especially affordable house building would get the economy started and get people in jobs.

‘The question is more urgent now than it was six months ago. I think there are things Government could do to help,’ he says.

‘There is never going to be a magic bullet. But housebuilding, and specifically affordable housing, are the things we can do to draw people, particularly youngsters, into jobs.’

He says reigniting the housebuilding programme and an accelerated push on capital allowances, which allows small businesses to write off investment against tax, would also boost employment.

He's also got some interesting thoughts on DIY projects, such as pooling their cash to buy tools and skills to help each other out.

Not sure the scheme would work, but I do like innovative ideas rather than the same old cry for more debt to sell us stuff we don't really need. And he's got plenty of ideas.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2193533/B-Q-chief-Ian-Cheshire-growth-masterplan.html

Loughton_Monkey

The Streetclub initiative means members can sign up to a local scheme to share DIY tips and skills, ask for advice......

I can just see it now! Another forum like this one.....

Loughton Monkey
"I rented 30 rawlplugs and am now moving house. How do I get them out of the holes in the wall without damage, so I can get my money back?"

Hamish McTavish
"Serves you right for renting. Didn't you realise that had you bought them in the first place, you would be quids in. They have gone up in value, especially in Scotland..."

RAMPANT_IDIOT_SILVER_SOCK_PUPPET
"You should only buy silver Rawlplugs. They're going to be worth double this time next year."

macaque
"I rent Rawlplugs from Homebase. I refuse to buy them until they come down in price by 70%."

Turnbull2000

Large scale house building simply won't happen. Thread closed.

Loughton_Monkey

Turnbull2000 wrote: »

Thread closed.

Is it really?

PaulF81

i personally think relaxed planning laws for self build is the solution. more investment in local trade as opposed to the big national home builders

CLAPTON

once he uses the words 'affordable housing' you know he is talking politics rather than economics.

and realistically, is prospect of 'tool' sharing really going to revolutionise housing building in the UK?

just shows they have no plans whatsoever .. summer silly season..

MacMickster

As much as I agree that we should get Britain building again, I don't find it particularly surprising that the boss of a firm that sells products to builders should advocate more building, nor his ideas that people should club together to buy tools.

I am totally against this second idea however, which I regard as extremely subversive. I let my neighbour buy almost every available tool, then just nip round to borrow them as required. This is much more of a moneysaving idea (for me at least) than this clubbing together nonsense.

wymondham

Surely a B&Q boss wil always call for anything that involves DIY, such as home ownership??

olly300

wymondham wrote: »

Surely a B&Q boss wil always call for anything that involves DIY, such as home ownership??

Mmmm - If I had all these firms in my group then I would want loads of house building.

Graham_Devon

Does B&Q make any money from house building?

I suspect not!

Loughton_Monkey

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Does B&Q make any money from house building?

I suspect not!

Loads!

It is well known that purchasers of new properties are always at the DIY shop. Paint, Curtain Rails, Screws, Dado Rails, Doorbells, Picture Hooks, Rawlplugs, New Drills, Extra Kitchen fittings, Garden plants, hosepipes, hose reels, paving, decking, sheds, fencing, barbercues, planters, turf, lawncare products, bathroom units, new washing machines, loft ladders, step ladders, bulbs, shelving........

The only thing they don't sell is machine guns - for when you find out how noisy the kids are next door.