18 February 2005
Emergency funding introduced two years ago following the surprise abolition of local authority social housing grant has failed to provide as many homes as forecast.
Figures revealed in the House of Commons by housing minister Keith Hill show 11,916 homes will be built through a transitional scheme by the end of 2005/06, compared with an original government estimate of 14,000. In 2003/04, the first year following the abolition of LASHG, 4,916 homes were built.
Latest estimates for 2004/05 and 2005/ 06 are 4,800 and 2,200 homes respectively, said Hill in response to a question by Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Ed Davey.
The Liberal Democrats claim the shortfall proves councils were right to protest over the sudden ending of LASHG, but a spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said the 14,000 figure was only intended as an estimate.
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