Saturday, 31 July 2010

Conservatives pledge to make private and social homes equal

30 September 2008

Conservatives promise social and private developers will meet same criteria.

Social and private houses will have to be built to the same standards under a Conservative government, the party’s shadow housing minister has said.

Grant Shapps told delegates at Shelter fringe meeting that there would be a single standard, at the party’s annual conference.

Social housing must currently meet more stringent quality and internal space standards than the private sector.

‘I can really see no reason why we should be building homes in this country to different standards,’ Mr Shapps said.

‘We should merge standards into one. The reason that social housing is one standard and private another seems unnecessarily complicated. The sensible thing is to have a single standard in the long term.’

John Slaughter, director of external affairs at the Home Builders’ Federation, however warned against the move.

‘In social housing you know what you are providing but in the private sector you don’t,’ he said.

‘You offer a range of choices for the market. You have to be careful about a single standard.

‘It is a public policy choice to spend money on social housing. If you try to match that in the private sector there is a trade off in standards. It isn’t cost free  policy. There are potential downsides to going down this route.’

Readers' comments (2)

  • Peter | 01/10/2008 8:31 am

    There should be a minimum standard for all social housing and the private sector must comply with the current 'stringent quality and internal space standards' imposed on local authorities and HAs. This is a sensible idea and the HBF should welcome the proposals and actively participate in the consultations.

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  • Katherine McHale | 13/10/2008 10:38 am

    I totally disagree with this measure. My partner and I have to pay over £1000 a month to live in a 1 bedroomed flat that is mortgaged. Why should somebody in social housing receive units at the same standards as an owned property when they pay next to nothing to live there. Its not fair. What incentive does it give for people to own their own homes?

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