Richard Baum

The Lib Dems in parliament voted last night to massively boost investment in Council housing for the neediest in our society. Despite being backed by thirty Labour MPs rebelling against their own government, Lib Dem proposals were defeated.

In one of the biggest revolts since Gordon Brown became prime minister the rebels joined the Lib Dems in calling for more money to “acquire, rehabilitate, and build” more homes.

The rebels included five former ministers, Frank Dobson, Peter Kilfoyle, Michael Meacher, Frank Field, and Kate Hoey.

The amendment to the Housing and Regeneration Bill called for more resources to build and repair council homes - but was rejected. Mr Meacher said the supply of council housing needed to be vastly increased and it was “unrealistic” to rely on the private sector to build the required homes.

Labour’s Austin Mitchell said the changes would prevent the “bribery, bamboozlement and bullying” of councils into privatising housing stock.

Unfortunately the Labour government didn’t agree, and once again sound a worrying call the poorest in society who are finding that privately run housing associations are less effective, less accountable, and less suitable for their needs.

Rick