Home truths

THE fact that dozens of local councils failed to build a single council house last year – to replace those sold off on the cheap under a Tory policy – is a disgrace.

As a result, people are left without an affordable, secure roof over their heads, while the housing benefit bill – much of it a subsidy to greedy private landlords cashing in on poor accommodation – continues to rocket.

Our housing crisis, with 1.2 million on council waiting lists, will be solved only by a huge building programme that brings back council houses for everybody who needs one.