HC Deb 04 April 2000 vol 347 cc803-4
11. Mr. Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North)

If he will estimate the number of new council and housing association dwellings to be built in London in the next 12 months. [116152]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Mr. Chris Mullin)

Although no new-build council homes are planned for next year, some replacement homes will be built as part of regeneration schemes. In addition, 5,400 new housing association homes are planned for London next year, of which 3,940 will be for rent.

Mr. Corbyn

Does the Minister realise what a depressing answer that will be for thousands of people in London who are on housing waiting lists or transfer lists, or living in bed-and-breakfast or hostel accommodation? If we are to deal with the housing problem that affects anyone on an average or below average income in London, there must be a significant increase in the number of properties made available for rent by councils or housing associations. Especially in inner London, people look to the Government to ensure that money is spent not just on improving existing estates—although that is welcome and necessary—but on purchasing and providing new homes for rent. Failing that, London will become an increasingly socially divided city as poorer people are forced to move out because there is nowhere for them to live.

Mr. Mullin

I certainly acknowledge that there is a serious shortage of affordable housing in London, but I hope my hon. Friend will acknowledge that the housing investment programme for London has increased dramatically under this Government. This year it will be £613 million, which represents a 54 per cent. increase on the previous year.

Let me also gently say to my hon. Friend that about 2 per cent. of Islington's council stock—not counting properties that are awaiting demolition or major renovation—are empty. One of the most effective ways of creating more affordable housing in London would be to put to proper use council housing in Islington—and, indeed, elsewhere—that is currently vacant. Islington has one of the highest vacancy rates.

Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)

Something else that has grown dramatically under this Government is the number of asylum seekers in London. How much of that social housing will be taken up by people who have been on waiting lists for some time, and how much will, of necessity, have to be put aside for new arrivals and asylum seekers?

Mr. Mullin

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Government are making provision to disperse asylum seekers around the country.

This is not a problem that suddenly arose in May 1997. It existed long before then, and the Government whom the hon. Gentleman supported did very little about it. I regret attempts by some Conservative Members to play—let me call it not the race card but the asylum seeker card.