Housebuilders call for Budget boost

Housebuilders issued a new plea yesterday for measures to stimulate the housing market. Charles Gallagher, president of the House Builders' Federation, said: "As things currently stand there is nothing to stop the housing market going into further decline." There was a risk that the continued weakness in housing would turn the economy's slowdown into a recession.

The HBF proposals are likely to be the first of many pre-Budget demands for help for the housing market. New limits on social security benefits for homeowners, which come into force next month, are expected to lead to another increase in repossessions.

The HBF is proposing a Budget package to help first-time buyers by increasing the threshold for mortgage-interest tax relief (Miras) from pounds 30,000 to pounds 50,000, and by raising the rate for tax relief to 25 per cent from the current 15 per cent.

Housing experts think it unlikely that the Budget on 28 November will contain such a package. Steven Bell, head of research at Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, said: "It is inconceivable that the Government will reverse the previous reductions in mortgage interest tax relief." Miras will cost nearly pounds 3bn this financial year.

He added that a recovery in the housing market could start next year. "Economic growth will help... it will just be a long, slow process," he said.