Unite welcomes council house funding reform which could herald
10,000 new homes a year
25th March 2010
Unite, the largest union in the country, today (Thursday, 25
March) welcomed the latest government reform of council house
funding, which could see 10,000 more homes being built each
year.
Unite’s deputy general secretary, Jack Dromey, said: ”This is
very good news and shows that the government’s commitment to
boosting council house spending and building is not built just on
words, but on practical action.”
The crux of the new self-financing system will allow councils to
keep all the rent councils collect from homes and all the receipts
from any sales of houses or land. The cash will not go to central
government, as previously was the case, nor will it be used to
subsidise other local authorities.
Jack Dromey said: ”It is expected this reform will release at
least 10 per cent more money for every council maintaining and
managing their homes. And it could create the extra finances to
build over 10,000 new council homes a year.
”Such a building programme to assist the country’s more
vulnerable communities will scupper the propaganda of the boot boys
of the British National party who have been fomenting lies and
distortions about council housing.
”Labour is right to build Britain out of recession, meeting the
demand for affordable homes and creating much needed jobs and
apprenticeships.’
Housing minister John Healey set out his plans today to
dismantle the current (HRA subsidy) system for funding council
housing in 177 local authority areas.
The minister said: ”Above all, it will mean four million people
living in 1.8 million homes will get better homes and better
housing services from their council.”
ENDS
Email to a friend
