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The Barker Review suggests that there would need to be a doubling of new house building creating an extra 120,000 new homes a year to meet demand and counter house price inflation. This report challenges the basic assumption that there is an undersupply of new homes. Census data from 2001 reveals that there is actually a surplus of housing in all regions across England.

Kate Barker's report: Barker Review of Housing Supply published in March 2004, commissioned by the Government, suggests that there would need to be a doubling of new house building creating an extra 120,000 new homes a year to meet demand and counter house price inflation. Our report presents evidence that there is no overall shortage of housing for sale and a massive boost in output would create needless environmental damage. It looks at the factors which have been fuelling demand and what measures could be introduced to counter this. We do however support the Barker Review's recommendation for an increase in the building of more affordable subsidised housing and the desire to see every household with a decent home of its own.

Our response to the Government's proposals to increase housing supply acknowledges that more homes are needed and welcomes increased targets for green, affordable housing on brownfield land. The response makes recommendations to help ensure that new development delivers public benefits with minimal harm to the environment.

It is clear that there needs to be a significant increase in the provision of affordable housing – in both urban and rural areas. This briefing suggests what might be done to achieve this objective while ensuring that the countryside is protected from unnecessary development and the best use is made of existing urban land and buildings. It defines the extent and nature of affordable housing needs, challenges some of the myths surrounding the issue, and proposes measures that might be adopted nationally and locally to tackle it.