Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

Almost one in ten families in social homes in Cornwall are living in what the Government has described as ‘non-decent’ accommodation, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The figures, revealed in answer to a Parliamentary Question, show that 2,587 social homes in Cornwall are described as ‘non-decent’ – 9% of the total number of social housing stock.

The statistics follow the Government’s announcement that it will pay for Gordon Brown’s latest election pledges with a £225m raid on the home improvements budget, including slashing £150m from the decent homes fund.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

“It is unacceptable that thousands of Cornish families have to put up with living in sub-standard housing. Yet Gordon Brown is cutting funding to improve these homes – thinking no-one will notice the raid on such vital projects aimed at the most vulnerable in our communities.

“The shortage of social housing is a massive problem in Cornwall. This would best be tackled by giving councils the money and freedom to start building council homes again and improving their existing stock. Instead, the Prime Minister is robbing Peter to pay Paul, using a sleight of hand to pretend he’s investing in housing, while those in the worst conditions lose out.”

Andrew George MP added:

“This problem is compounded. Those who suffer poor quality housing are usually those who can do least to improve their lot, i.e. older disabled people living alone and families with young children.

“Housing standards in the state housing sector are often better than in the private sector so with over 14% of Registered Social Landlord stock in the West below standard we anticipate that many in the private sector face even worse problems.

“These problems are made worse by overcrowding and there not being enough 3 and 4 bedroom properties for families with both male and female children”.

Notes

• The “decent homes” standard is the primary indicator of stock condition applied in England.  A dwelling is defined as “decent” if it meets the statutory minimum standard, provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort, is in a reasonable state of repair and has reasonably modern facilities.

• To pay for Gordon Brown’s policy announcements in the recent “Building Britain’s Future” document, the national Growth Fund budget is being cut by £128m (42% of the annual budget), £150m is being cut from the Decent Homes programme and £75m from the Private Sector Renewal Scheme. The Homes and Communities Agency is also being expected to make £183m (3%) efficiency savings. The Private Sector Renewal Scheme is meant to support vulnerable people, such as the elderly by bringing their private sector homes up to Decent Homes standard.

• Figures for England, including a regional breakdown, can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090720/text/90720w0025.htm#0907213000675

• Data on non-decent homes in Cornwall is still currently available at the former district council level.  The table below gives figures from March/April 2008 for the total stock of housing owned by each district council and by registered social landlords (RSLs) in each district.  The table also shows the number of these that were non-decent at that time.

• The data for districts is taken from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website and is part of their Business Plan Statistical Appendix publication.  The data for registered social landlords is based on the Regulatory and Statistical Return survey conducted by the Housing Corporation in partnership with DCLG.