§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Prime Minister what research the Government have(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on links between poor housing and (i) educational under-achievement, (ii) ill-health and (iii) crime; and what priority will be given in future spending programmes to tackling housing disrepair and housing shortages. [43198]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government are examining links between poor housing and a wide range of issues, including health, crime and education.
Current research for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) by Bristol University is looking at the effects of poor housing in early life on factors such as poor health and educational attainment later on; Imperial College, London is undertaking a project sponsored by DETR and the Department of Health (DH) examining the links between winter mortality levels and poor housing; a joint DETR/DH research programme is studying the effects of air pollution and damp in the home.
Research is also evaluating area based programmes designed to tackle high unemployment, high levels of crime and fear of crime, poor housing, poor environmental quality, poor educational achievement and poor health.
The Comprehensive Spending Review was set up to ensure that Government spending is in line with current priorities. It is considering the need to spend on maintaining the existing housing stock and on the provision of new homes.