[The Weeping Angel]

This sounds promising. Then again Warren always makes things sound positive.

I haven't checked Clive Lewis for a while. Doubtless, he's praising the government for collecting unpaid tax, seeing he was exercised by this before?

He does, although it's a useful antidote to the likes of Stephen Bush.

[The Weeping Angel]

This was announced yesterday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0 ... 3gS8eVJrAQ

P

lans for a major reform of the house-buying system, which aim to cut costs, reduce delays and halve failed sales, have been unveiled by the government.

Under the new proposals, sellers and estate agents will be legally required to provide key information about a property up front, and the option of binding contracts could stop either party walking away late in the process.

The government estimates the overhaul could save first-time buyers an average of £710 and shave four weeks off the time it takes to complete a typical property deal.

But sellers at the end of a chain may face increased initial costs of £310 and, while broadly welcoming the move, housing experts say more detail is needed.

Previous attempts at mandating sellers to offer key information - through home information packs - were scrapped owing to complaints that it discouraged or delayed sellers in putting homes on the market.

The broader issue of housing affordability remains a block for many potential property purchasers, especially first-time buyers.

And many home buyers would not benefit from the estimated savings, as the calculations include the average cost of failed transactions that some might not experience.