Housing secretary admits ‘there aren’t enough homes in this country’

Michael Gove said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had asked him to look into helping first-time buyers get onto the property ladder.

The Housing Secretary said there is an issue with supply and financing in the property market (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Housing Secretary Michael Gove has conceded there “simply aren’t enough homes” in Britain as he said the Prime Minister had commissioned him to work on policies to help first-time buyers.

Mr Gove also appeared to confirm suggestions that his pledge to abolish leaseholds entirely will be watered down.

Speaking to the National Conservatism conference on Tuesday, Mr Gove said Rishi Sunak had tasked him with addressing the issues faced by first-time buyers, with housing expected to be a major issue at next year’s general election.