Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gloria De Piero and Lord Stunell

Monday 30th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stunell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend that it is an urgent task to get empty homes back into use, particularly affordable use. Often, the waiting lists facing many local authorities could be shortened if authorities tackled empty homes vigorously. That is why we have provided the new homes bonus as a reward and are investing £100 million to switch empty homes to affordable homes.

[Gloria De Piero (Ashfield) (Lab)]

Does the Minister accept that making use of empty homes is vital not just to tackling homelessness but to protecting the green belt from house building?

[Andrew Stunell]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right. An empty home already has planning permission and is capable of use without all the aggravation often created by new development. More than that, an empty home is often the cause of antisocial behaviour and other problems in a community, so it is a double win; in fact, a treble win. I agree entirely.