CASE FOR COUNCIL HOUSING

Early day motion 1094, tabled 10 April 2002 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 89 members.

That this House notes that council housing has provided generations with a decent, affordable, secure and accountable alternative to market forces in housing and is an important part of a comprehensive welfare state; recognises also that nearly three million tenants in England and Wales want this to continue but that it requires a major investment so that all council housing is first rate and available for future generations; notes the breakthrough of a new right to borrow for local authorities in the Local Government Finance White Paper, and the Secretary of State's assurance on 16th January that however tenants vote on privatisation their homes will be brought up to the 'decency' standard by 2010; believes that the real choice for tenants depends on an end to government discrimination against council housing with the introduction of a level playing field with other social landlords, including a total end to the daylight robbery tax on housing revenue accounts, an equal right to borrow and public subsidy equivalent to writing off overhanging debt to all councils, not just those which privatise housing; and welcomes the Case for Council Housing briefing in this House on 16th April, the Manifesto for Council and Housing and other initiatives to highlight this issue and persuade government to stop privatisation and invest in council housing with no strings attached.

Signatures by party: Labour 72, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 4.