Homes to play a central role in election battle as politicians back campaign
Parties pledge manifesto commitment to housing
The three major political parties have signed up to Inside Housing’s new House Proud campaign and promised to make housing a key part of their manifestos.
Labour and the Conservatives are to launch pledges on housing, while the Liberal Democrats have already made an election promise to the sector.
This week, housing minister John Healey confirmed housing would be key to Labour winning the general election. He said: ‘The scale and nature of housing need in this country means it must be central to the general election campaign, with the electorate able to clearly understand what is on offer.
‘Some people say it is simply about money. The bottom line is, in fact, the commitment to affordable housing, [an issue] where there are clear differences between the parties.’
Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps also said he would launch a housing pledge in the next few months. A source close to the Conservatives said their manifesto would be organised thematically, and that housing would be covered in a section focusing on economic recovery.
Last week, the Liberal Democrats announced the first of two housing pledges for the election. The party plans to invest £1.4 billion in bringing empty homes back into use. Social landlords could bid for grants of up to £10,000 to renovate homes. The Liberal Democrats believe the scheme could bring 100,000 properties into the social housing sector.
Sarah Teather, housing spokesperson for the party, said: ‘With record numbers of people suffering from the misery of inadequate housing, the Liberal Democrats have already made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for our election manifesto. I warmly support the House Proud campaign.’
Last week, Inside Housing and the Chartered Institute of Housing launched their joint House Proud campaign, which aims to put housing at the top of the political agenda by highlighting the significant financial and social benefits the sector provides.
For more on House Proud, and to sign our petition, see the campaign page
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Readers' comments (3)
alex kendall | 22/01/2010 8:19 am
We cannot accept any cast iron guarantees from politicians or elections pledges they are simply delusional, housing must developed by gaining control and mastering planning, we must ensure people from our profession become he next generation of planners. For example look at the lame performance from the RTPI at the Election hustings held by RICS. The event also highlights the poor performance by all three leading politicians, must say Grant Shapps failed to inspire given the first question We should note that this country is broke!! We owe 850 billion pounds plus interest payments due to the behaviour of the banks. Has housing got the political influence to avoid sever cuts?? Think not!!!! We must introduce structural changes to influence change this is sound political rational. It should be noted than any grocers’ daughter would not put all her eggs on the one bag!!!!
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Peter | 25/01/2010 1:11 pm
Housing should be taken off the politician's agenda! How is that for starters?
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David Smythe | 26/01/2010 10:20 am
It seems a shame that the Tories are going to commit to a housing pledge, that they really have not intention of keeping to, considering that the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham council has been quoted as saying that council housing are ghettos of deprivation. What is needed according to the tories is a solution to concentration of deprivation and if that means knocking down council housing, then so be it, council tenants need to stand up to these bully tactics, and if the tories win the next election, they adhere to their promises, somehow, I dont think they will, God help us
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