HC Deb 15 February 1988 vol 127 c456W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any specific proposals to increase the supply of rented property for skilled workers in areas of housing stress; and if he will make a statement

Mrs. Roe

An increase in the supply of rented accommodation is the central objective of the deregulation proposals in the Housing Bill. Such an increase should have an impact both in the relief of housing stress and in facilitating job mobility.

More specifically, the Housing Corporation gives priority to a number of groups, including key workers, with its conventional funding programme and can support schemes aimed specifically at helping young people to move to take up employment under its mixed funding programme, which is being increased to £58 million for the coming financial year.

The Local Government Bill includes an explicit new power for local authorities to assist in the provision of privately let accommodation, subject to my right hon. Friend's consent. The new power could be used to help provide accommodation such as that described by the hon. Member.