Clegg calls for greater house building freedom

Author: 24 Dash - Jun 10, 2009

The Prime Minister said his Government was "prepared to take even more decisions" to increase the supply of social housing on top of steps already in place to help people deal with the recession.

His comments came after he was challenged on housing policy by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

During Prime Minister's question time, Mr Clegg said 1.8 million families were waiting to be housed and that just 20 new homes had been started since the Government announced a major building programme in January.

He called on Mr Brown to stop the Treasury "grabbing" money from council rents and sales and allow local authorities to build new homes.

Mr Clegg said: "Everyone who has been out on the campaign trail over the last few weeks knows how angry and frustrated people have become at the way that this Government always raises people's hopes only to see them disappointed again and again.

"In no way is that truer that in housing, where we have had more announcements than new homes.

"Since January when you announced the biggest council house building programme in decades, only 20 new homes have been started.

"So will you, for once, just for once, make a promise and actually deliver."

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Localis thoughts on the proposals:

"Proposals to build more homes is good news, but Councils should have complete freedom to manage their housing stock as they wish, and encourage people to move out of social housing when they can"