This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8125663.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Council home plans to be unveiled | Council home plans to be unveiled |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Plans to boost the supply of social housing outlined by Gordon Brown on Monday are to be spelled out later. | |
In a speech in Harrogate, housing minister John Healey is due to announce to local government leaders the outcome of a council housing finance review. | In a speech in Harrogate, housing minister John Healey is due to announce to local government leaders the outcome of a council housing finance review. |
Changes could see councils returning to large-scale home building. | Changes could see councils returning to large-scale home building. |
Mr Brown announced a consultation was under way to decide whether to allow councils to keep all the money raised from council house sales and rent. | Mr Brown announced a consultation was under way to decide whether to allow councils to keep all the money raised from council house sales and rent. |
In the Commons on Monday, the prime minister also proposed to let councils in England give local people more priority on housing waiting lists. | In the Commons on Monday, the prime minister also proposed to let councils in England give local people more priority on housing waiting lists. |
'Unmet demand' | 'Unmet demand' |
Currently, council tenants' rent and proceeds from right-to-buy sales go into a national pot for redistribution. | Currently, council tenants' rent and proceeds from right-to-buy sales go into a national pot for redistribution. |
Some councils get money back while others have to pay a negative subsidy to the government. | Some councils get money back while others have to pay a negative subsidy to the government. |
But if ministers support plans to let councils keep their money locally, councils may be able to build and repair more homes. | But if ministers support plans to let councils keep their money locally, councils may be able to build and repair more homes. |
In the past two decades, very few homes have been built by councils as housing associations have been the main providers of social housing. | In the past two decades, very few homes have been built by councils as housing associations have been the main providers of social housing. |
BBC local government correspondent John Andrew said he did not expect a return to the kind of mass council house building seen in the 1950s and 1960s. | BBC local government correspondent John Andrew said he did not expect a return to the kind of mass council house building seen in the 1950s and 1960s. |
But the latest measures would go some way to meeting the huge unmet demand for social housing as the number on housing waiting lists approaches five million, our correspondent added. | But the latest measures would go some way to meeting the huge unmet demand for social housing as the number on housing waiting lists approaches five million, our correspondent added. |
Affordable homes | Affordable homes |
Meanwhile, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has said that the £750m it is to contribute towards building new affordable homes will come from across its budget. | Meanwhile, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has said that the £750m it is to contribute towards building new affordable homes will come from across its budget. |
A spokesman had earlier said that the department's contribution to the house building programme announced by Mr Brown on Monday had not been finalised. | A spokesman had earlier said that the department's contribution to the house building programme announced by Mr Brown on Monday had not been finalised. |
But the DCLG later said that there was no disagreement with Downing Street, although no single programme had been identified for cuts to pay for the homes. | But the DCLG later said that there was no disagreement with Downing Street, although no single programme had been identified for cuts to pay for the homes. |
A further £750m is due to come from underspending by other government departments, including health and the Home Office. | A further £750m is due to come from underspending by other government departments, including health and the Home Office. |
Mr Brown announced plans to treble investment in housing to £2.1bn, funding 110,000 new affordable homes to rent or buy over the next two years and creating 45,000 jobs in construction. | Mr Brown announced plans to treble investment in housing to £2.1bn, funding 110,000 new affordable homes to rent or buy over the next two years and creating 45,000 jobs in construction. |
This formed part of his "Building Britain's future" policy document. | This formed part of his "Building Britain's future" policy document. |