Kings Speech lacked commitment to build more affordable properties, says housing CEO
The expert claimed the tone for the speech was set over the weekend when the home secretary described homelessness as a ‘lifestyle choice’.
On Tuesday 7th November King Charles took to the stands in the House of Lords and delivered the first Kings Speech in 70 years. His Majesty outlined the government’s latest plans for the country, which had a heavy focus on strengthening the economy due to the current cost-of-living crisis.
Within the speech King Charles confirmed that the government will be cracking down on criminals – people who have committed sex offences will now be facing longer prison sentences – and that a tobacco and vapes bill will be introduced with an aim to creating a ‘smoke-free generation’. Although these new measures have been well received, there were a vast amount that received the opposite reaction.
One example of this, is that the King failed to outline any concrete plans from the government that aim to create more affordable properties.
In a statement, Lee Bloomfield, chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Association, said the speech, which was written by ministers but delivered by the King, highlighted that homelessness off the streets was not a priority after home secretary Suella Braverman described the situation as a ‘lifestyle choice’.
‘The tone for the King’s Speech was set over the weekend when the Home Secretary defined homelessness as a ‘lifestyle choice’ and stated her desire to ban homeless people from sheltering in tents,’ said Lee. ‘As such, no one should be shocked that taking more homeless people off the streets by building more affordable homes would be at the top of government’s policy agenda between now and the General Election.’
Lee added: ‘Community-based organisations such as Manningham Housing Associations simply wish to do the right thing for our tenants and, indeed, prospective tenants by expanding the number of properties we have available.
‘But we cannot do this alone, the government must take the lead.
‘The present administration stopped any pretense that building new homes was a priority when it ditched its target of building 300,000 homes every year, essentially casting housing associations and deprived neighbourhoods in places like Bradford and Keighley adrift.’
Against this backdrop, Lawrence Turner, director of Boyer, which is part of the Leaders Romans Group, has also expressed his frustration about the government failing to address the nutrient neutrality issue that is currently stopping new homes from being built.
Nutrient neutrality means new developments must ensure that any nutrients that enter the water course must be offset by measures elsewhere in the catchment to reduce inputs.
Lawrence said: ‘As the single most significant block on housing development, the issue of nutrient neutrality is the main contributor to the housing crisis. At least 150,000 homes have been delayed because of the of the Government’s failure to address the issue – and of these at least 45,000 are much-needed social / affordable housing units.
‘Only last month, Michael Gove told the Conservative Party that he wanted the rules to be scrapped ‘at the first available opportunity’ and so it is extremely disappointing that this opportunity has now been lost. The continued uncertainty will continue to the detriment of those most in need.’
In spite of this, the speech did include some measures that will benefit the housing industry. The King announced that a leasehold and freehold bill will ban leaseholds for new houses, but not new flats, in England and Wales and extend the standard lease extension period to 990 years. In addition, the existing renters reform bill has been pledged to deliver a long-promised ban on no-fault evictions in England. However, this bill has been indefinitely delayed until after the court system is reformed.
Image: Benjamin Elliott.