The conservatives attacked the government's record on social housebuilding this week, citing a 40% drop in new social homes since Labour came to power in 1997.
The attack came as the prime minister admitted that after seven years in power, he needed longer to significantly improve public services.

The ODPM building figures quoted by the Conservatives showed the number of social homes completed on average each year under Labour was a little more than 17,000.

In the six years before Labour came to power, the annual building rate of social homes was just over 28,000 – 40% higher.

David Curry, shadow secretary of state for local and devolved government, said: "The government is failing to meet demand for social housing, just as it is failing on affordable housing.

"Instead of spending time on silly proposals like sellers' packs it should spend more time putting a roof over people's heads.

"Any increases [in overall housebuilding] are thanks to private enterprise, while the number of social and local authority houses has been slashed."

n Housing starts and completions in England in the three months to December 2003 were up on the same period of 2002, according to new figures from the ODPM.

Home completions reached 42,171 in the three months – up 8% from 38,959. In addition, 35,733 homes were started – a 9% increase from 32,592.

ODPM figures for 2002/3 show that 150,934 homes were started and 137, 891 were completed – also a slight improvement on the previous year.

Source

Housing Today