Panel Discussion: 'Are there solutions to the UK’s housing crisis?'

Thursday, 28 May 2026, 5pm to 6.15pm

This panel discussion will assess how far the government’s good intentions on housing are being realised. But what are the prospects for tackling the UK’s dysfunctional property taxes? Is the speculative builder model for private sector housing supply fit for purpose? Do we need radical new ways of expanding access for Britain’s families to decent roofs over their heads?

The UK faces a severe housing crisis. House prices remain far too high compared to incomes. Renters and the young bear the brunt of the affordability crisis. Many spend over a third of their earnings on housing alone. Political attitudes between them and more secure homeowners are increasingly polarised.

New housing supply, especially of affordable social housing, isn't keeping pace. Construction activity stayed flat through 2025. Economic inequality, especially between generations, and social exclusion, are dramatically influenced by housing and land use planning. Poor housing has negative health outcomes and restricted access to housing affects family formation. Our poorly insulated homes increase vulnerability to energy price shocks and make it hard to reduce carbon emissions. Productivity growth is severely impeded by failing policies and institutions related to land use, housing and credit markets.

The UK holds the record for the extent of value embedded in the underlying land rather than in buildings. The current government has signalled good intentions on planning reform, land value capture, expanding the social housing stock and improving tenure security. But what is the state of progress?

Professor Eric Beinhocker from INET Oxford and the Blavatnik School of Government will moderate a discussion with four leading experts from Oxford, from MHCLG, from Shelter and from the private sector.

Panel:
Professor Eric Beinhocker, Executive Director, INET Oxford
Professor John Muellbauer, Professor of Economics and Senior Fellow, INET Oxford
Stephen Aldridge, Director for Analysis and Data, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Sam Bloomer, Policy Officer, Shelter
Shiv Malik, Author, broadcaster, technologist and former investigative journalist

Speaker(s): Professor Eric Beinhocker (INET Oxford), Professor John Muellbauer (INET Oxford), Stephen Aldridge (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), Sam Bloomer (Shelter), Shiv Malik (Author and broadcaster)

Venue: Oxford Martin School - Oxford Martin School 34 Broad Street Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 3BD United Kingdom

Department: Oxford Martin School (Unit)

Organiser: Oxford Martin School Events Team

Register here: https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/events/housing-crisis