Teather: Labour have failed the poor
Labour have failed to provide housing for the most in need, the Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson said today.
Speaking at her party conference in Bournemouth, Sarah Teather gave an impassioned speech starting with an example of two families in extreme circumstances in her constituency.
She said: ‘The people who live in chronic housing hell are the people who, time after time, election after election, take as they’re given.
‘Without shelter, how can you keep yourself fit and healthy, study for your exams or work to earn a living? Labour have failed in their duty to provide shelter for those most in need.’
Ms Teather also attacked the Conservatives. ‘The Tories have nothing to say on housing,’ she said. ‘I don’t understand the Tories. If you’ve nothing to say and nothing you want to change, why are you in politics?’
She said the recession is an opportunity to ‘completely rethink some approaches to housing’.
She suggested that Section 106 was not working in the current climate and councils need to come up with more ideas to deliver extra social homes. One idea she proposed was for local housing bonds which, she said, would give councils funding to pay upfront for the infrastructure needed by new developments.
She also suggested the government cut VAT on repairs and maintenance to help deal with empty homes.
She said empty homes and regeneration schemes should not be stalled by the recession. ‘We could use these estates for short-life housing to help a young person on low wages get a temporary helping hand,’ she said.
Ms Teather was clear she does not believe everyone aspires to own their own home: ‘For too long government has worshipped at the altar of home ownership at the expense of everything else. For many, the dream of owning your own home is as far away as ever.’
She said the standard of homes needs to be driven up ‘so renting is not the duff choice’.
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Readers' comments (1)
Peter | 23/09/2009 10:33 am
Sarah having worked in your constituency for several years in Social Housing, the real problem is the complex and diverse nature of the poor quality of available properties in badly designed estates for social letting. Despite the Decent Homes programme and the creation of the ALMO in Brent, things have improved, but its only a 'band aid' exercise.
A radical shift is also needed especially in the area of home ownership because not everyone will be able to buy a house under present the monetary policies. Many people have been conned by the sharks in the banking industries by dubious calculations on the affordability of owning their own homes and when in fact it is like swimming with a millstone around your neck.
Social renting must be made more attractive including giving greater responsibility and incentives for the tenant to take pride in their homes and the areas where they live. This is not a new idea and it worked until we put the bean counters in charge! Change that and 'renting is not the duff choice'!
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