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England’s Complex Housing Challenge
Study Figure 1 in the resources booklet, ‘England’s housing challenge’.
‘The housing challenge in England is not just about building more houses.’
Use information from Figure 1 to discuss this statement.
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Study the marking See what earns credit and compare it with a full-mark answer.
Marking points
- 1 Uses Figure 1 evidence to address the statement rather than discussing housing only from unsupported general knowledge.
- 2 Explains several dimensions of the housing challenge beyond simply increasing the number of houses.
- 3 For top-level credit, develops comparison/evaluation and reaches a supported view about the statement.
- 4 Valid evidence can come from any of the official indicative-content themes; no single listed theme is mandatory.
Full-mark answer
England does need more homes: Figure 1 shows demand of 340,000 homes compared with actual 2018 supply of about 220,000, below even the government target. However, the challenge is also affordability and location. London’s average house price is about £477,813 while average income per person is about £30,256, and the price-to-income relationship varies by region. Some existing housing is poor quality or unsuitable, so replacement homes may not increase the total stock. Large new developments can also put schools, health services and transport under pressure or be remote from jobs, while greenfield building can damage the environment. Therefore numbers matter, but suitable, affordable, good-quality homes in accessible locations with enough services are equally important.
Why this answer loses marks
England just needs to build more houses because demand is high.
This considers supply alone and omits Figure 1 evidence about affordability, quality, suitability, location, services and environmental effects before judging the statement.