News story

25th June 2004

Steve Webb to Challenge Ministers at Westminster over Local Housing "Misery"

Northavon MP Steve Webb will next week use a special debate at Westminster to challenge the Government over the acute shortage of affordable housing in South Gloucestershire. The MP is taking action over what he has described as “one of the biggest sources of misery” to thousands of local people—the lack of a decent affordable home.

According to official figures from South Gloucestershire Council, there are over 5,000 households registered with the Council as seeking an affordable home to rent. In addition, every year the Council accepts responsibility to house over 500 households who are homeless. Furthermore, there are many hundreds of other young people and young families who are unable to get their first step on the housing ladder because of the high level of house prices in the area.

The debate will take place next Tuesday (June 29th) at 11am, and will be led by Steve Webb with a Government housing minister called to respond.

Speaking in advance of the debate, Steve Webb said:

“Somewhere decent and affordable to live is what we all want for ourselves and our families, and yet too many local people do not have even this basic necessity. Almost every week I meet a family who are desperate for somewhere to live but who seem to be stuck on a waiting list.

"I also hear from growing numbers of young people who want to become independent and set up home but who simply cannot afford to do so. I welcome the fact that the Council is considering measures that will increase the supply of affordable housing, but Central Government has a vital part to play as well.”

The MP added that he had last raised this subject in a debate at Westminster over two years ago, but had decided to return to the same topic because so little progress was being made.