The number of homes built in Britain slumped to 110,000 last year.
In 2007 the figure was 175,000 and in 1968 a total of 350,000 new homes were constructed.
With 2012 unlikely to be any better - pressure was piling up on the government to act.
This resulted in NewBuy and HomeBuy [subsidies] for the industry and relaxation of planning rules regarding the requirement to include a percentage of social or 'affordable' homes on each development.
Now the house builders have exactly what they wanted, will we see more new homes built in 2013?
I doubt it, as housebuilders continue to hoard their planning approved landbanks, building just enough to keep their share prices afloat and the profits alive.