The speech also highlighted the strong growth in first-time buyers in Scotland over the past few years, but pointed out the need to investigate the mismatch between first-time buyer and home-mover activity:
“Our latest figures show a Scottish market which is down, but only marginally, on last year but where first-time buyer activity has shown a healthy increase. There has been a less healthy decrease in movers. The impression of a flattish market overall, with a buoyant first-time buyer sector, is replicated elsewhere in the UK, especially once you leave the special case which is London. The absence of moving activity is something which should give us all pause for concern. Indeed, CML is going further and has commissioned research to report by mid-year on the reasons why the number of transactions seems to be in secular decline.”
The Help to Buy scheme in Scotland has helped first-time buyers strengthen in the Scottish market, but the industry needs to be alert to potential slow activity after withdrawal:
The Help to Buy banner has proved effective in stimulating new build. We will monitor closely whether the market can cope without the stimulus, but the evolution of the product and gradual tightening of availability in Scotland over time has been an intelligent way forward. Lenders will work constructively with government to make the transition into a post-Help to Buy environment as smooth as possible. Alongside the end of Help to Buy, the exit from the European Union may affect the industry, but the impact on the housing market may be modest:
It is not easy to identify specific impacts on the mortgage market. It is a domestic market. There are not particular activities which will become impossible should we leave the single market. We will be asked whether our propensity to lend to EU nationals is affected by Brexit. I am confident in saying that lenders will treat their customers fairly and will avoid unnecessary dislocation to business.
The CML will be merging with other trade bodies in mid-2017, and the mortgage industry will remain strongly represented throughout the UK. The quality of mortgage representation, data, and voice will not be compromised by the change, and the new product council will offer the same sort of home for all types of mortgage lender which CML does today.
Also speaking at the lunch was chair of CML Scotland, Carol Anderson, who identified increasing housing stock as a top priority if the industry is to meet the aspirations of would-be home-owners “Scotland will need more homes built to continue to fulfill people’s aspirations. It is reassuring to see house building being placed firmly as a priority by Scottish and UK governments. The CML in Scotland will work with government in finding ways to make existing avenues to build more streamlined while also exploring new pathways to house building. We hope the government remains open-minded to all forms of tenure in future housing policies to accommodate different needs and preferences of consumers.”
