Labour's housing market moves welcomed as 'progressive step forward'
The Labour party's programme to help the estimated nine million people living in rented accommodation is 'a progressive move in the right direction', Unite, the country's largest union, said today (Thursday 1 May).
Unite said that the housing market has to move swiftly away from a situation where up to 40 per cent of people's income is spent on rent, creating a dysfunctional housing market in the UK.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said:
"We are pleased that the Labour party is making further moves to address housing failure in the country.
“People need to know that the house they rent is their home and that they will have the peace of mind that comes with three year security of tenure.
“These moves coupled with Labour's pledge to build 200,000 houses a year, with a strong emphasis on council and social housing, should raise the quality of housing available and bring down the punishing cost of renting.
“This progressive programme will make a real difference to ordinary people and help soften the dysfunctional nature of the UK housing market.”
The measures announced by Ed Miliband will give families greater security with three-year tenancies and predictable rents which prevent excessive rises, as well as saving households hundreds of pounds when they move into their homes.
