Government Committed To Build More Houses

The government has revealed new plans that could enable councils to manage funds raised through council-owned properties.

Under a proposal announced by housing minister Margaret Beckett, councils would be able to keep the money raised through renting and selling homes to fund new developments. Currently
as much as 75 per cent is pooled into the Treasury instead of into local authorities.

Beckett said 'We are determined to keep house building going in the current climate, as the long-term need for more homes is not going to disappear...These new freedoms will encourage councils to play a bigger role in driving forward the delivery of new affordable homes for families in housing need.'

The government also recently announced plans to enable councils to bid for a share of the grants given to social landlords to subsidise the cost of new housing.