Martin Ford 08 December 2020

MPs savage abandoned £192m housing scheme

A £192m affordable housing programme that failed to deliver any homes has been labelled ‘deplorable’ by MPs.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC)’s report on the Starter Homes scheme said it ‘deplore[s] the time and resources wasted’ until it was left to ‘drift out of existence’ earlier this year.

Some of the funds will support the building of some homes on remediated land, but it has been superseded by the First Homes initiative, which councils must ensure 25% of affordable homes built by developers contribute to.

PAC chair Meg Hillier said: ‘The Department for “Housing” is at risk of losing the right to the title. It has serially, constantly failed to deliver affordable new homes or even make a serious attempt to execute its own housing policies or achieve targets before they are ditched, unannounced - costs sunk and outcomes unknown.’

The PAC has urged the Government to ‘work more closely with local authorities’ to create more social housing to move people out of temporary accommodation.

The District Councils’ Network and Local Government Association backed the call.

DCN vice chair, Cllr Tom Beattie, said: ‘Councils need to be given the local flexibility and powers to set the number of First Homes in their areas, so they can better meet the housing needs of local communities.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner