Govt urged to prioritise housing
The government cannot address affordable housing without guaranteeing decent pay, union leaders warned Gordon Brown today.
Addressing the TUC congress in Brighton, Dave Prentis, head of Unison welcomed the government’s moves to create affordable housing but warned it must take action now.
Mr Prentis challenged the prime minister: “Make investment in council housing a key part of your mission to solve our housing crisis.”
He said the bottom rung of the housing ladder was “rising higher than ever before”, while his members pay slips continued to erode.
Mr Prentis told delegates the issue went beyond just housing: “It’s about giving hope and help to those of our members who feel forgotten – left behind.
“It’s about denying the BNP the sickening opportunity to use housing as an electoral winner”.
Derek Simpson, general secretary of Unite, earlier told delegates housing is shaping up to be a major political flashpoint.
He said Labour would have no difficulties in winning an election if it addressed the factors exacerbating the housing crisis, especially if Gordon Brown also addressed pensions.
He said would-be buyers are increasingly priced out of the market due to a combination of doubling property values and low pay, blamed on agency workers undercutting wages.
Mr Simpson said Unite was “absolutely delighted” that council housing has become an acceptable term under Gordon Brown’s government.
John Thompson from UCATT also welcomed Mr Brown’s comprehensive housing programme, set out in a green paper in July.
But, he warned the government’s social housing target falls short of demand, which has risen in part due to immigrant labour. Mr Thompson said 60,000 people are already living in temporary accommodation.
The green paper contained an annual commitment to build 45,000 social housing units, over half of the 70,000 affordable homes planned by the government each year.
Both UNITE and Unison are urging conference delegates to vote for a change of government policy, that would allow local authorities to build new council houses and improve existing stock.
Mr Prentiss asked conference: “What is so wrong with councils building council housing? What is so wrong with councils renewing their housing stock? Letting councils do what they do best?”
Last week, housing secretary Yvette Cooper wrote to the London Borough of Camden saying the government did not back investment in council housing stock as a solution to affordable housing.
In his speech to union delegates today, Mr Brown pledged to build more houses to buy and let, with a 50 per cent increase in social housing.
Brendan Barber told union members they could claim credit for making social housing a priority for the Labour government.
