Lord Beecham
Main Page: Lord Beecham (Labour - Life peer)
Lord De Mauley
My Lords, I certainly agree with my noble friend that funding is a key point, and the Government are doing what they can to nudge the banks in that direction.
Lord Beecham
My Lords, in the light of last week’s announcement that the Homes and Communities Agency will take over the majority of the regional development agency assets—those, at any rate, that have not been sold off in the current fire sale—will the Minister indicate whether there have been any discussions with that agency, and whether any guidance has been given on the need to ensure that some of those assets at least are deployed in the interests of coastal and market towns?
Lord De Mauley
My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord’s point about the need for affordable housing, for instance. The Government are well aware of the need for affordable housing in rural, and indeed coastal, communities, and are looking to address this by returning decision-making powers to local councils, giving them greater control over the allocation and tenure of social housing.