§ 11. Mr. AllenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will fund council housing departments on the same basis as arm's length management organisations; and if he will make a statement. [133443]
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§ Keith HillMy hon. Friend asks if the Government will fund council housing departments on the same basis as Arms Length Management Organisations, and the answer to that is no.
As my hon. Friend is aware, the funding available for social housing, although greatly increased under this Government, is inevitably limited; and we wish to use it in ways that will most improve the lives of tenants.
The evidence is that Arms Length Management Organisations enhance the quality of service to tenants. It provides the extra funding needed to improve their homes and the local environment; and it enables the local authority to focus on its strategic housing role.
§ Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average council rent is for those(a)local housing authorities with non-transferred housing stock and (b) local council areas where housing stock has been transferred to housing associations and other bodies. [133766]
§ Keith HillA table showing the rent comparison by local authority area and English region is available in the Libraries of the House.