Tim Farron made clear that secure, affordable housing is a core Liberal Democrat commitment.

We believe that every individual, regardless of income, employment, social class, or family circumstance, has a right to safe, affordable accommodation. That is why we have opposed the new ëRight to Buyí scheme that will deprive communities of housing stock without adequate replacements to meet current demand.

George Osborne’s Autumn Statement pays lip-service to making housing available to all but, in typical Osborne fashion, it only takes a small look at the detail to see that this is hot air. Prioritising properties for those who can already afford to take out mortgages and put down big deposits does not help make housing available to all. Neither does defining £250,000 as affordable or reducing the obligations on property developers to provide an adequate level affordable housing in new developments.

There are 1.6 million people on housing waiting lists right now, and building ìaffordableî houses that youíll need a £50,000 annual salary to afford is not going to make that list any shorter!

We need this government to take affordable housing seriously. We need local authorities to take affordable housing seriously. As a Liberal Democrat, I am appalled by the complacency of this government in the face of a housing crisis that is putting a secure and suitable home out of reach of so many men and women in our country.

If you agree, and would like to stand with the Liberal Democrats as we keep up the fight for better housing for all, join us!

   Leave a comment