New research on growing the economy and overcoming NIMBYs / by Tom Lees

Bradshaw Advisory is working to support the newly formed Inclusive Growth Commission - a blue-chip business-led policy forum - on developing pragmatic policy proposals to unlock inclusive growth in the UK economy.

As part of our work, we partnered with YouGov to undertake new research on public attitudes to growth and the planning system. The full data tables can be found here.

In summary, the public doesn’t feel that Labour (net -9 points) or the Conservatives (net -30 points) currently have credible plans to grow the economy.

  • The most popular political party voters trust to grow the UK economy is ‘none of the above’.

  • The top three ways the public thinks we can grow the economy are 1) invest in training for high-tech jobs and industries 2) increase transport links across the country and 3) build more houses. 

On housebuilding and the planning system:

  • More than half the country (53%) would support a large increase in housebuilding (33% against) with 47% supporting it in their own local area.

  • 26% think that planning laws around house building are ‘too strict’, 27% think they are ‘about right’ and 21% feel they are ‘too loose’.

  • In terms of persuading local communities to accept a ‘large increase in the amount of new housing’ in their local area (in order of popularity):
    ○ A promise of investment in improving local services (e.g. more doctors, school places) accompanying development saw support rise to 75% V 13% opposing (a 28% boost in support compared to the baseline).
    ○ Reserving a fixed proportion of new homes for local people saw 66% support and 19% opposition (19% boost V baseline).
    ○ Delivering new developments in a way that was in keeping with local architecture and building traditions saw 64% support and 20% opposition (17% boost V baseline).
    ○ A direct cash payment to local people of £10,000 saw support of 60% V 28% against housing plans (a 13% boost in support compared to no payment).
    ○ Money off energy bills for all households in the local area saw support at 60% with opposition at 24% (a 13% boost in support compared to the baseline).