Build houses, save jobs, cut waiting lists

LEADING Oldham Lib-Dems have called for the Government to invest more in social housing.

They say it will ease the recession in the construction industry and provide homes for the thousands of people on the housing list in Oldham.

Elwyn Watkins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “There are over 6,200 construction workers in the borough.

“Many hundreds have already lost their jobs and unless there is action now, thousands more construction jobs are at risk. This then causes a ripple effect, putting other jobs at risk, in all sorts of areas from sandwich shops to building supply wholesalers.

“A commitment from the Government to free up funding for more social housing would help to tackle the thousands of people on the list for social housing in the Oldham area.”

Councillor John McCann, Oldham Council’s executive member for housing, said: “We have been fighting for new social housing to be built in Oldham for years, but money is very tight and Government restrictions prevent a building programme.

“There are over 8,000 people on the waiting list for housing in the Oldham area, and we fear the number of people needing social housing is increasing.

“This is a very important issue and we are working together with other parties for the greater good of Oldham borough.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to push ahead with proposals to allow local authorities to keep all the rent from new social housing and all the money from homes later sold under the right-to-buy scheme instead of a chunk going to central government.