Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Hughes and Lord Foster of Bath

Monday 18th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Foster]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for bringing the House’s attention to that case. I was not aware of it and if she is prepared to provide me with the details I would be willing to meet her to discuss the issue she raises.

[Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)]

Many Liberal Democrat councillors around England would like to see more council housing and housing association property built in their areas. What can the Government do to encourage and support both those initiatives?

[Mr Foster]

My right hon. Friend has long championed the importance of local councils being able to do more in developing further housing for people in their areas, and he must wait just a few days for a further announcement on that issue. As I have already said, given the changes that the Government have made to the housing revenue account system, £2.8 billion is still available for local councils to spend on housing.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Simon Hughes and Lord Foster of Bath

Monday 17th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)]

17. What estimate he has made of the number of people living in social housing who have an income of over £100,000 per annum.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Don Foster)]

We have estimated, based on data taken from the last three English housing surveys, that between 1,000 and 5,000 social tenant households earn over £100,000 per annum. We have consulted on proposals to charge these households a fairer rent and will respond to this consultation by the end of March.

[Simon Hughes]

My right hon. Friend will realise that speaking from a position where I am privileged to represent more council tenants than any other English MP, I recognise that council tenancies are very valuable and appreciated. However, given the length of the queue, a lot of people feel that it is wrong for those with an income in six figures to have the privilege of security of tenure and not to pay a higher price for that privilege. May I encourage him to see whether he can find a solution to this long-running problem?

[Mr Foster]

My right hon. Friend first raised this issue on the Floor of the House in 1988, and I am sure that, 24 years later, he is delighted that the coalition is listening to him. He is absolutely right: we have to make better use of affordable housing. That is why we have consulted on the issue and why we are going to build more affordable housing.