§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of council housing in London is currently not inhabited by council tenants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 7 May 1991]: From latest available information reported on HIP1 returns it is estimated that 2.9 per cent. of stock owned by London boroughs was vacant at 1 April 1990. A further 0.7 per cent. was recorded as in unlicensed occupation.
The Government have taken steps to ensure that local authorities improve the utilisation and management of 394W their stock. There is certainly considerable scope for improvement on the above figures, particularly among inner London boroughs. Revised housing revenue account subsidy arrangements now incorporate financial incentives for authorities to minimise the proportion of voids in their stock. The publication of performance indicators from this year onwards will highlight standards of housing management, including control of stock, and increase accountability to tenants. London boroughs have received additional allocations of £86 million over the past two years to repair empty local authority homes through the homelessness initiative. It is estimated that more than 5,000 will be brought back into use as a result.