In the foreword to the government's new strategy, David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg say the UK is facing a situation where "lenders won't lend, so builders can't build and buyers can't buy".
"That lack of confidence is visible in derelict building sites and endless For Sale signs," they write, adding that this is doing huge damage to the economy and society. Housing Ministers say there is a fundamental "lack of confidence" in the market.
