The research, which will come from interviews and surveys with senior decision-makers at leading UK house builders, will give a snapshot of current market activity to assist with the Government's review of current housing policy.

The first report from the partnership was submitted to Jonathan Shaw, minister for the southeast, and Gareth Thomas, parliamentary under-secretary of state for trade and consumer affairs.

Its key findings include:

*The government is perceived as 'doing nothing to help developers' and should engage with house builders directly rather than offering incentives via registered social landlords and councils.
*Large house builders fear competition from entrepreneurs with overseas funds.
*Banks appear self-serving and unhelpful and their lending criteria is too frequently very unhelpful for consumer confidence.
*Stagnation of house purchases can only be eased by enabling people to secure mortgages. Part-exchanges and shared-equity schemes are seen as the only meaningful incentives.
*Registered social landlord-related shared equity schemes are 'too long-winded'.
*Empty building rates liability is unhelpful.