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Boris Johnson plans July wedding party at Chequers

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Why is the UK suffering a housing crisis?

Rob Le Mare
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  • Boris Johnson
    Boris Johnson
    Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 2019

The UK is facing a housing crisis due to a shortage of homes, as well as soaring rent and house prices. The war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated the problem.

Boris Johnson has announced a "benefits to bricks" scheme, "extending the right to buy to housing associations". This will allow millions of UK residents to use their benefits towards a mortgage.

However, the scheme has been widely criticised, the Chief Executive of Shelter has called it "baffling, unworkable and a dangerous gimmick".

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