Government ignoring rural homes crisis - Baroness Miller

The Liberal Democrats will attack the Government in the House of Lords today for failing to implement the recommendations of the Commission on Affordable Rural Housing.

According to official figures, 31,300 affordable homes need to be built annually for at least the next five years to meet demand. However, less than 1,700 are currently being constructed.

Liberal Democrat Defra Spokesperson, Baroness (Sue) Miller said:

"The immense gap between the homes needed and new homes being built has widened, while the gap between earnings in rural areas and house prices has grown even wider.

"Villages are losing an entire generation of young people who are forced to move away, yet the Government has failed to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

"In fact, they have even backtracked on their commitment to increase council tax on second homes, which would encourage landowners to fill empty properties."