Colchester City Council has urged the Government to act now on England's “broken council housing finances,” including “unsustainable” levels of debt previously assigned to councils by the government.
The council joined local authorities from across England in calling for action ahead of next week’s Autumn Budget.
The council joined local authorities from across England in calling for action ahead of next week’s Autumn Budget.
A report this autumn – Securing the Future of Council Housing – backed by more than 100 councils, highlighted that the national council housing system is in crisis, with finances pushed to the brink by past national policy decisions.
Today, Colchester City Council has signed a joint statement urging the Government to help turn things around.
“The new government’s commitment to a ‘council housing revolution’ is a huge step forward for communities across our country,” the statement says.
“The Chancellor’s first Budget and spending review are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix England’s broken council housing finances.
“The last government tore up its 2012 council housing settlement and left local government with a £2.2 billion black hole in housing budgets.
“Our report urges the new government to turn this around by investing in urgently needed new council homes, addressing the unsustainable debt previously allocated to councils, and creating a Green and Decent Homes Programme, so together we can deliver the more and better council homes and growth that communities across the country so desperately need.”
Cllr Paul Smith, Colchester City Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, said, “Council homes are so much more than bricks and mortar – they are a cornerstone of a better life.
“But our country’s council housing is in crisis – policy decisions over the past decade have pushed finances to the brink and undermined the sustainability of the system.
“We’re calling for the government to take this once-in-a-generation chance to fix England’s broken council housing finances, address unsustainable debt, and help us to ensure future generations in Colchester have the council homes they need.”
Securing the Future of Council Housing was supported by 109 councils across England, led by Southwark Council.
It highlighted that without urgent action, a £2.2 billion black hole in councils’ housing budgets is expected by 2028.
Page last reviewed: 25 October 2024