July 1, 2009
LOCAL MP PLEDGES MORE MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
WENTWORTH MP John Healey will play a key role in delivering the government’s new strategy Building Britain’s Future, published this week.
The new housing minister will oversee an extra £1.5 billion investment in 20,000 affordable homes over the next two years – which will create 45,000 jobs.
This is on top of the £1.2 billion already committed this year to building new homes.
Mr Healey also announced that rules would be changed so local councils can give priority for housing to local people and those who have spent a long time on a waiting list.
In addition, he said he would consult with local authorities on whether they should be allowed to keep proceeds from council house sales and rents.
Mr Healey said: “I want to provide more flexibility in finances and more transparency in the operation of the system. I want to devolve control from central to local government.
“And in return, I want to increase local responsibility and accountability for long term planning, asset management and for meeting the housing needs of local people. The current system makes this difficult to achieve.”
The Prime Minister described Building Britain’s Future as a radical vision for a fairer, stronger and more prosperous society, with new measures to drive economic growth and jobs.
It also included plans to guarantee a job, work experience or training place for every young person under 25 who has been unemployed for a year, from next year.