The House of Lords debated the government’s Housing Strategy published in November 2011.
In a live blog the Guardian followed the lunchtime debate. Lord Stoneham (Liberal Democrat), who tabled and opened the debate, said:
“Housing needs to be higher on our national agenda. So many issues impinge on it and it underpins everything in society. There is a huge demand for more housing to be met. And we are not meeting it.”
“I believe the government is right to review the housing strategy, and the document has some encouraging schemes, but it’s a bit like a box of Liquorice allsorts. It’s all full of very tasty items, but is not a satisfying meal.”
He also asked for more attention on tackling the problem of retirement homes and older people’s housing, and for the government to fully commit to the Green Deal’s objectives.
Baroness Hanham (Conservative) responding on behalf of the government said the Housing Strategy is an “excellent report” and that she strongly supports the aim of people to buy their own homes.
Lord Whitty (Labour) said the strategy “did not add up to anything like tackling the central problem” and the government should look at “a new and more ambitious approach”.
In concluding the debate Lord Stoneham said,
“Housing should be a focus for the coalition. It is important to job recovery and meeting a very important social need.”
“I hope very much the ministerial team will take up the challenge of finding and fighting for new vehicles for funding that will enable us to build more housing in this country.”