Propertymark to lobby all new housing ministers

Propertymark says it’s contacting all the appropriate new ministers over the summer to trigger an engagement process so agents’ voices can be heard at the heart of government.

A statement from the trade body says: “The Policy and Campaigns Team has updated briefings and position papers throughout the summer. The survey responses from members are vital to support this work. We already have meetings with officials arranged from across the government and will be writing to all the new Ministers to increase this engagement further. 

“We will also engage with local governments as they develop plans to set and deliver on new mandatory housing targets.

“We will endeavour to ensure that housing, property and homeownership are key parts of the UK Government’s plans for national renewal and policymakers recognise the importance of Propertymark, our members and the sector.”

The body has also reported on a meeting held earlier this week between Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and deputy Angel Rayner, and the various directly elected metro mayors from across England - most of which want more powers to be devoted to their offices.

The mayors oversee ‘combined authorities’ which typically cover several local authority areas, and the mayors have powers set out in devolution deals negotiated between the UK Government and local leaders. 

Eleven areas now have metro mayors, covering 18.8 m people, or 34% of England. 

Propertymark says: “The metro mayors’ powers depend on the level of devolution deal agreed with the [former] Government. For example, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has the highest tier of devolution, giving them powers over strategic planning, compulsory purchase, Mayoral Development Corporations and a £150m brownfield fund whereas, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has no additional housing or planning powers at all under their deal.”