Vacant Local Authority Dwellings

HC Deb 14 February 1997 vol 290 c319W

Mr. Sykes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest figures for vacant local authority dwellings in England. [16265]

Mr. Curry

At 1 April 1996, a total of 79,600 council homes in England were empty, 2.3 per cent. of local authorities' stock. The 1995 figure was 71,800; most of the increase was in "management vacants"—dwellings available for letting immediately or after minor repairs—which account for 60 per cent. of all vacant local authority homes.

I am placing in the Library of the House of Commons a list of local authorities in England ranked on the basis of their management vacants at 1 April 1996.

The Government want to see the best use made of local authorities' housing stock and I look to authorities to continue their efforts to keep their own empty dwellings to a minimum. Most authorities have a good record on filling their vacant dwellings, but there is still room for improvement. The achievements of past years must not be wasted.