Vested interests add to housing crisis
Just how much is the building industry responsible for the present housing crisis? Quite a lot, says housing expert Andrew Gilg. The industry has a vested interest in keeping supply below demand he says in a latter to The Times newspaper.
He adds:"Another factor is inheritance which allows those fortunate enough to have property owning parents to afford today`s high prices”.
Mr Gilg is the author of Land Use Planning in Britain. He says in his letter that local government should buy up development land and build all the houses as happened after the war making it possible for 300,000 houses a year to be built by the Macmillan government.
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| Key in Britain`s housing story...prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Harold Macmillan |
But this policy was watered down in the 1960`s and private housing overtook council housing. That policy was reversed by the 1975 Community Land Act and a new policy started to work until it was repealed by Margaret Thatcher
She, as we know. introduced the council house right to buy policy and severely reduced council housing.
Mr Gilg suggests that the present crisis could be eliminated by an incoming Labour government resurrecting the 1975 act and lowering the inheritance tax threshold.
Community Voice Carlisle is the blog of Carlisle Tenants` and Residents`Federation. Information about the Federation is available on 01228 52
