PM Burnham challenged by George to back his Homes for Locals Bill
Andrew George MP today used Andy Burnham’s very first Prime Minister’s Questions to press the case for his Private Members’ Bill to give communities stronger powers to deliver genuinely affordable homes for local people.
During the new Prime Minister’s first Prime Minister’s Questions, Andrew George raised concerns about widening inequality, tax loopholes for second homes, weaknesses in the planning system and the barriers facing communities seeking to provide affordable homes for local families.
Andrew George said:
“My community-led homes Private Members’ Bill aims to help combat widening inequality in the UK.
“In Cornwall alone, during the last decade, through tax loopholes, more than half a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money has been handed out to second homeowners, while the housing problems of locals have got significantly worse. The planning system, which is fuelled by greed rather than need, simply allowed land value speculators to fill their boots while the housing problems get worse.
“Will the Prime Minister meet me so that we can identify tools in my Private Member’s Bill to empower communities to address that desperate need?”
Prime Minister’s Response
“What can I say to the hon. Gentleman? I have worked with him over many years, and I remember in the coalition years he did not always take that line, and I respect him for that.
“I will look very closely at his Private Member’s Bill. How about this: I will agree here and now to a meeting with him and all Cornish MPs to discuss what we might also do alongside his Bill, what we might do to put powers and levers within the devolution deal to deal with those very specific issues he’s just raised in relation to second homes in Cornwall.”
Andrew George said
“Though this is an encouraging reply, there’s still a tremendous amount more to be done before my Bill has its second reading in November. Encouraging mood music, but I need the Government to work with me to hammer out plans to turn hope into the reality of decent, secure, and genuinely affordable homes our families desperately need.”
Andrew George’s proposed Community-Led Homes for Locals Bill seeks to strengthen the ability of local authorities, community land trusts and community-led organisations to deliver affordable housing and meet identified local housing need. The proposals include new planning powers, measures to increase the supply of social and affordable homes, support for community-led housing projects, and tools to help communities address the impact of second homes and housing speculation.