Labour

Stark figures demonstrate deepening housing crisis - Dromey

New figures published today by the Department for Communities and Local Government show that house building has fallen drastically by 11 per cent in the first 18-months of this Government compared with the last 18-months of the last Labour Government. Completions – where builders finish a home and put it on to the market – are at the second lowest level since World War II. House starts also fell four per cent last year.
 
Jack Dromey MP, Labour's Shadow Housing Minister, said:

“These figures show how this Government’s policies are making the housing crisis worse not better. But this out-of-touch Government is failing to listen to the millions of people now in desperate need of a home and change course.

“Tory Housing Minister Grant Shapps said that building more homes than Labour was the gold standard to judge him by. By his own measure he is failing. Housing completions for the Government’s first full 18 months in office are 11 per cent down compared with the same period under the last Labour Government. House building is at its second lowest level since World War II. Worryingly housing starts also fell four per cent last year.

“This Government is failing the 1.8 million families that are on housing waiting lists. They’re failing young couples wanting to buy their first home. They’re failing those stuck in the private rented sector who face soaring rents and poor standards.

“Their housing policies are failing and those in need of a decent, affordable home are paying the price. Those in desperate need of a home can’t wait any longer, the Government must act and they should start by levying a tax on bankers bonuses to build 25,000 more affordable homes, putting unemployed building workers back to work and creating a 100,000 jobs for young people.”