§ Sarah TeatherTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by each London borough in each year since 1997 on(a) refurbishment, (b) redecoration and (c) renewal of its directly-owned housing stock; and what the average spending per property in each authority was each year, excluding the amount spent on central Government schemes including the New Deal. [186296]
§ Keith HillInformation is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost on the amount spent on refurbishment, redecoration and renewal of local authority owned dwellings, nor can the average spent per local authority dwellings be calculated.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding increases in housing supply; and if he will make a statement. [183471]
§ Keith HillOn 17 March 2004, Kate Barker reported on the review of housing supply that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister had asked her to carry out. HM Treasury and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) published a joint response on the same day, accepting her central recommendation that there should be a step change in housing supply,562W and committing to detailed consideration of her recommendations by working together over the next 12 to 18 months.
On 13 July, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed the outcome of the Spending Review settlement for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which will support investment made in previous Spending Reviews to deliver the Sustainable Communities Plan. Over the five years to 2008, the Office of the Deputy Prime will spend £38 billion to tackle housing shortages in the South and low housing demand areas in the North and Midlands. This commitment includes a 50 per cent. increase in new social house building each year, providing homes for people who most need them.