We've got to get banks lending
The state of the economy is the number one concern for many of my constituents and it remains my top priority, too. Our shrinking construction industry has been a major factor in what is now the longest double-dip recession for 50 years.
Last month saw the fastest decline in new construction orders since April 2009, with the biggest decline in house building.
A lack of affordable housing is a huge problem in my constituency. The only option left to many people is the rapidly-growing private rented sector.
Yet I often meet constituents at my advice surgeries who are struggling with poor-quality accommodation, very little security and ever-increasing rents.
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So, we have an economic crisis and a housing crisis, too.
What's the solution?
We've got to get the banks lending again; to businesses so they can grow and create jobs and demand in the economy, but also to people who want affordable mortgages so they can move home or get their own home for the first time.
There are other things the Government could do to boost housing and construction.
Labour wants to see a repeat of our bankers' bonus tax so we can use the proceeds to build 25,000 affordable homes while also funding a real jobs guarantee for all young people who have been out of work for a year.
The Government should also think again about its plans to reduce funding for affordable homes, which it has cut by a staggering 60 per cent.
Instead, we heard this week that the Government thinks the best way to tackle the housing crisis is to relax the planning laws.
So far, the proposals are unclear – which could lead to legal challenges from developers and long, costly delays.
It is also essential that we get the right balance in the planning system, so that the views and voices of local people remain at the heart of decisions.
Take a recent case in my constituency.
A couple of weeks ago, the council's planning department recommended that the planning control committee pass an application to build 35 flats on the land behind Swithland Avenue, near Abbey Park.
Local people were extremely concerned about the intensity of the development, fearing it would block out sunlight, increase traffic and create a community within a community.
This neighbourhood already has severe problems with parking.
On one occasion, an ambulance could not get to an elderly constituent's houses due to the number of cars in the street.
So this was clearly the wrong development for the area and people were right to voice their concerns.
By pulling together and building our case, residents, councillors and I, as the MP, were able to convince the committee to reject the planning application.
I will continue to champion more affordable homes, but I will also fight to ensure people remain at the heart of decisions about where they should be built and what they should look like.
Comments
by the-market
Thursday, September 20 2012, 7:51PM
“Seeing as Russel is into enviromental buildings can we expect another toilet roll tower in the city ?”
by the-market
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:01AM
“Living locally the "leicester" comment is a fact.The side of the house on the left to the derelict site agreed to sell the house or at least the side entrance to the "site".The initial offer was so stupid to be taken for real!The final choice of 2 offers was acceptable.
Then the issue died.”
by New_Walk_View
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:17PM
“Sorry about that. This site doesn't like my link. I'll try again
bit.ly/Qmty43”
by New_Walk_View
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:15PM
“@leicester
`As for the comment on Swithland Avenue,she aint got a clue.Useless as ever.The ground in contention is really just a dump and unused.There would be NO traffic using Swithland Avenue.'
While I was waiting for you to tell me what Liz Kendall had done to the buildings and houses of Westcotes, I checked out the Swithland Avenue planning application you referred to. It was discussed by the Planning Committee on the 5th September and, for anyone interested in the facts, they're available here;
null
According to the planning oficer's report, vehicle access to the new block of 37 1-bed flats (and associated parking) would be from Swithland Avenue and not Abbey Park Road, as you seem to think.
Perhaps he ain't got a clue, either. What do you reckon?”
by Graham_LE8
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 9:32PM
“@ garyb2011;
with a slight adjustment for political leaning, your comment could ably apply to most of the MP's currently occupying seats in the house...”
by Bob491
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 9:20PM
“And isn't this incompetent Con government allowing immigration to increase still further, as well as allowing the richer ones to walk in without waiting in the queue?”
by LestaLM
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 8:33PM
“Well, Leicester's population has grown by 16% between 2001 and 2011 so maybe Liz's Labour Party should have done more house building to accomodate the mass immigration that the Labour Party encouraged during their time in government. Strange how she doesn't mention uncontrolled immigration during the Labour years as a factor in rising housing costs and demand.”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 7:52PM
“Liz Kendall
University Graduate
No job in the real world
'Adviser' to the Labour Government on 'Health'
Labour MP in Leicester = job for life
Professional politician - kerchinng!”
by New_Walk_View
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 4:20PM
“Go and ask the residents of Westcotes what they think of property values and what this lady has done to the area as far as buildings and houses are concerned.
@leicester
It'd be simpler if you just told me. What has Liz Kendal done to the buildings and houses of Westcotes?”
by Hamilton_Paul
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:10PM
“As with Graham note.
What is afforable housing? and Liz the people who complain about it what could they afford? the banks can not just give the money to anybody if they are not going to get it back. That was why the the credit crunch started by banks lending people money they could never pay back.
The whole housing issue needs to be looked at as a whole.
1) Are there people in council accomodation that can now afford to buy/ rent themselves- allowing these houses to be freed up to those that need them
2) Empty housing- council and non council being used better
3) Councils buying and doing up properties and then using them- this may be cheaper than buying new.”