Homes money appeal

Lobby Correspondent

Oldham’s MPs are lobbying the new Government to extend and not axe funding for new council house building across the borough.

Money for new-builds in Derker, Hollinwood and Shaw was announced by the Labour Government in January. But moves by the new coalition to cut housing budgets place at high risk the future of new council house building, currently on hold.

Former Labour housing minister John Healey announced spending of £265,000 to help with the construction of four properties on Clyde Street, £322,500 for five homes on Hawthorn Road and £210,000 for three units on Rufford Close.

The cash was part of £58 million allocated to various local authorities across the country for new-build, in an effort to help the construction industry during the economic crisis.

MPs are calling for the promised cash to be released and for additional homes to be built which in turn will get the economy moving.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “Our local council house building is a start in helping meet the local need for more affordable homes. I want to see it expanded, not axed. We knew that the election of a Tory Government would lead to deep cuts to public services. But it is incredible that the new Government is backtracking on building affordable homes when the money had already been set aside.”

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher has long campaigned for a massive national council house building programme.

He said: “We need not only these 12 houses now but hundreds more, and hundreds more each year in years to come. There are about 8,000 families on the council waiting list in Oldham.”

Mr Healey said: “Oldham is part of the biggest council house building programme for nearly two decades. When councils can offer low cost and good quality homes for local families, the Government should be backing authorities to build more, not looking to stop councils in their tracks.”