Oldham Lib-Dems seeking a 'Council house building revival'

Councillor Diane Williamson

Oldham Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Prime Minister's recent announcement that the borrowing cap which has prevented them investing in much-needed social and affordable housing, is to be lifted.

Councillor Diane Williamson, Shadow Cabinet member for Policing, Community Safety and Housing on Oldham Borough Council, said: “The Prime Minister has finally yielded to the many voices speaking common sense in urging her to abandon the borrowing cap to enable new affordable homes to meet increasing need and those lost through Right to Buy.

"This decision reflects the position of the Liberal Democrats and the Local Government Association, who have been seeking an end to the cap for many years.

"In their hey-day, councils were building four in every 10 of the nation's homes, and we now need to see a Council house building revival.

"All parties and councils, regardless of whether they were Liberal Democrat, Labour or Conservative, have been calling on the Government to lift the borrowing cap, so councils can once more help deal with the significant problems people face in getting a home of their home.

"While, as always, we will need to wait to see the detail behind the Government's announcement, this is good news for local councils and more especially for people waiting to get onto the housing ladder."

Councillor Williamson added: “I shall look forward to seeing whether Oldham’s Labour Council will now quickly rise to the challenge and look to take advance of the change of rules by building new affordable homes in our borough as soon as possible.”

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