Industry representatives warn that UK housebuilding is being held back by high taxes and increased regulatory requirements. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) says “huge increases in taxes” and additional regulation have made it more expensive to build new homes. According to the HBF, the combined effect has raised the average cost of building a new home by about £76,000. Both outlets report the same warning from the HBF, presenting the cost increase as a factor that could slow construction and affect the housing supply. The articles frame the issue as a cost and compliance problem facing developers, rather than attributing blame to a single policy change. No additional details on specific taxes or regulations are included in the provided excerpts, but the core claim is that the overall tax burden and regulatory environment increase development costs. The reporting is consistent in citing the HBF’s figures and describing the cost pressure as a reason housebuilding may be less viable.