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Housing dominates Brown's agenda Housing dominates Brown's agenda
(10 minutes later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will put housing, health and education at the heart of his parliamentary programme for the next year.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will put housing, health and education at the heart of his parliamentary programme for the next year.
Mr Brown broke with tradition by setting out his plans to MPs months ahead of the Queen's Speech. Mr Brown broke with tradition by announcing 23 bills and draft bills to MPs months ahead of the Queen's Speech.
He said he wanted three million new homes built by 2020, 25-year fixed-rate affordable mortgages and a Homes Agency to oversee new developments. He announced plans for more "affordable housing", raising the school leaving age and changes to work pensions.
But the Tories said his house-building proposals would damage the green belt. But Conservative leader David Cameron dismissed the statement, saying: "We've heard it all before."
'Brownfield' Mr Brown said the Queen's Speech in November would include a Health and Social Care Bill and a Children in Care Bill.
Up to 100,000 homes could be built on around 550 surplus sites owned by arms of central government such as the Ministry of Defence and the NHS, Mr Brown said. Up to 100,000 homes could be built on around 550 surplus sites owned by arms of central government such as the Ministry of Defence and the NHS, he said.
Development would take place on "brownfield sites", he added.
He set out his priorities for the next year and a list of 23 bills and draft bills he is thinking of introducing in the next Parliament.
GOVERNMENT HOUSING POLICIES Housing market renewal scheme to restore sustainable communities to parts of the North and Midlands Home Information Packs being introducedAll social housing must meet the 'decent homes standard'100,000 homes in "carbon neutral" communities planned for old industrial sitesNew HomeBuy scheme enables social tenants, key workers and other first time buyers to buy share of a home Analysis: Brown's motives Guide: Housing in the UKGOVERNMENT HOUSING POLICIES Housing market renewal scheme to restore sustainable communities to parts of the North and Midlands Home Information Packs being introducedAll social housing must meet the 'decent homes standard'100,000 homes in "carbon neutral" communities planned for old industrial sitesNew HomeBuy scheme enables social tenants, key workers and other first time buyers to buy share of a home Analysis: Brown's motives Guide: Housing in the UK
Among his plans, he said an Education and Skills Bill would mean all young people stay in education or training until the age of 18. In total, three million new homes would be built by 2020 - up 250,000 from the previous target, he said.
Also among his plans, he said an Education and Skills Bill would mean all young people stay in education or training until the age of 18.
A Pensions Bill would ensure all working people had the right to a workplace pension, and employers would have a duty to contribute to it.A Pensions Bill would ensure all working people had the right to a workplace pension, and employers would have a duty to contribute to it.
The Queen's Speech in November is normally when prime ministers outline their programme, meaning the statement is a break with tradition. The Queen's Speech is normally when prime ministers outline their programme, meaning the statement is a break with tradition.
Tory leader David Cameron said most of the announcements sounded familiar from previous Queen's Speeches, adding: "We've heard it all before." Earlier, Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Parliament "should have far more power" and be able to discuss his plans in advance.
Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Parliament "should have far more power" and be able to discuss his plans in advance.
He also promised region-by-region public consultations, saying: "We are in a new world. People have a right to be consulted and involved. Therefore you have got to be outward-looking.He also promised region-by-region public consultations, saying: "We are in a new world. People have a right to be consulted and involved. Therefore you have got to be outward-looking.
Some close to Brown think that the Tory leader's made a strategic mistake BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Some close to Brown think that the Tory leader's made a strategic mistake BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
"That's different from what people call 'sofa government' or what people call 'armchair government'. This is going out listening to the people.""That's different from what people call 'sofa government' or what people call 'armchair government'. This is going out listening to the people."
He added: "We've got to make houses more affordable."He added: "We've got to make houses more affordable."
On Tuesday, Communities Minister Hazel Blears said house building took "priority" over environmental concerns.On Tuesday, Communities Minister Hazel Blears said house building took "priority" over environmental concerns.
She told the local government select committee she could not give "categoric assurances" about redrawing the green belt.She told the local government select committee she could not give "categoric assurances" about redrawing the green belt.
HAVE YOUR SAY It all sounds marvellous but let's wait and see what happens when it is all put into practice Christine Cobbold Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY It all sounds marvellous but let's wait and see what happens when it is all put into practice Christine Cobbold Send us your comments
The Conservatives said this had "raised the prospect of the government systematically concreting over" protected land.The Conservatives said this had "raised the prospect of the government systematically concreting over" protected land.
They also suggested she had given "the green light to green belt destruction on a massive scale".They also suggested she had given "the green light to green belt destruction on a massive scale".
But Mr Brown's spokesman said the government could "give assurances" that all land currently classed as green belt would remain so under new plans to increase housing.But Mr Brown's spokesman said the government could "give assurances" that all land currently classed as green belt would remain so under new plans to increase housing.
He said the prime minister was "not proposing any changes to the robust terms" of the current green belt land provision.He said the prime minister was "not proposing any changes to the robust terms" of the current green belt land provision.