Government sees signs of an upturn in the housing market

Housing minister Margaret Beckett has sparked a row after claiming there are signs of an ‘upturn’ in the property market, and saying the government was already worried about the next housing boom. Ms Beckett said in an interview with the Sunday Times that some estate agents had noticed signs of a revival of interest in property buying. Her comments were criticised by opposition politicians, with Grant Shapps saying the government has lost all touch with reality and Vince Cable accusing Beckett of playing ‘psychological games’.