The land value tax would shift liabilities from tenants to property owners, potentially straining rental supply.
Hopper warned it could trigger another wave of landlords leaving the market, reducing choice for tenants and driving up rents.
Propertymark Chief Executive Nathan Emerson noted that Burnham has consistently supported government intervention to address housing shortages and build more homes.
Business leaders in the East of England expressed caution but emphasized strong cross-regional partnerships.
Andy Williams, chairman of the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, said there could be short-term nervousness but that many investments were already secure.
Labour Ipswich MP Jack Abbott urged local authorities to proactively secure infrastructure commitments rather than waiting for top-down assistance.
>>> Severe Heat and Isolated Storms Threaten Fourth of July Celebrations
"We can't wait for a prime minister to cast favour on us," he said, calling for a unified regional lobbying effort to demonstrate value to the government.
