Welfare Reform and Work Bill (Tenth sitting)

Emily Thornberry Excerpts

Thursday 15th October 2015 Public Bill Committees

[Mr Vara]

Let us talk about the private rented sector. In the years 2004 to 2014, the rent increase in the private rented sector was 23%, according to the Office for National Statistics. In the same period, the social housing rent increased by 63%. If that does not show that there is a difference, I do not know what does.

[Emily Thornberry]

I would be happy to take the Minister around Islington, where, I can assure him, the social rent levels are very much lower than private rent levels and the private rents are going up enormously. In my borough, we have great problems finding accommodation for people in the private rented sector if we cannot provide sufficient housing for them in the social rented sector, which we cannot. Our concern is that everything that the Government are currently doing is undermining the social rented sector and will, in the end, lead to a bigger benefit bill.

[Mr Vara]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her contribution, but I suggest she takes up the issue with the Office for National Statistics, rather than with me, as it is a highly regarded independent body. I am minded to say that the vast majority of the public will agree with the ONS, rather than with her.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Vara]

I will not for the moment.

The Government remain committed to the delivery of 275,000 homes over the course of this Parliament. I remind Opposition Members that we have a track record of delivery—in the past five years we delivered more affordable homes than the Labour party did in 13 years of Government.

[Emily Thornberry]

Will the Minister give way?

[Mr Vara]

I will not give way to the hon. Lady.

We also need to remember that when the Labour party was in power, house building fell to its lowest level since the 1920s. In England—