§ 55. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that sufficient incentives are available to ensure that the necessary renovations are made to improve the quality of the existing housing stock; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe improvement and repair of the existing housing stock is a crucial area of the Government's housing policy. Incentives to owners to608W carry out necessary works come in many different forms. Some—like the increasing availability of private sector loans — need not involve the Government directly. Where additional incentives are required, the Government have underlined their commitment by adopting new policies, and by extending the scope and flexibility of the home improvement grant system, including raising grant rates and making repair grants generally available.
Expenditure by local authorities on home improvement grants has risen over the last five years as follows:
£ million 1978–79 90 1979–80 120 1980–81 129 1981–82 197 1982–83 430 *1983–84 740 * Estimated.