Housing scheme 'favours big builders' A fortnight since the launch of the NewBuy Guarantee scheme - under which the Government stands behind loans for new house builds - small companies are struggling to win business, building organisations have claimed. The House Builders Association (HBA) has claimed that seven major builders had agreements in place when the scheme launched and another big developer, Crest Nicholson, has since signed on. "If you are going to give government guarantees this scheme has to be universally available - you cannot give a competitive advantage to half a dozen house builders," said Roger Humber, strategic policy adviser to the HBA. Smaller housebuilders are struggling even to get information on the scheme, he said. The warning came ahead of tomorrow's publication, confirmed by the Chancellor, George Osborne, last week, of the Government's new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), an overhaul of planning regulation which housebuilders say may offer them another boost. The Home Builders Federation, which owns the insurance company underpinning the scheme and approaches lenders on builders' behalf, said that it was working to bring smaller builders on board. "It is vital that all builders, large and small, are involved," said Stewart Baseley, its executive chairman. We are working hard to ensure that as many builders who wish to are able to offer the scheme to their customers in the coming days and weeks. The Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "We are pleased with the interest in NewBuy and are working closely with the industry to enable as many home builders - including the smaller builders - as possible to take part as quickly as possible."