Parties pledge manifesto commitment to housing

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