North ‘having to play against a loaded dice’
ACTION IS desperately needed to rebalance the economy in next week’s Budget “so that the North doesn’t have to play against loaded dice”, an MP has claimed.
Hull East MP Karl Turner, one of the Yorkshire politicians who have backed Homes For The North’s campaign lobbying for more funding to build homes in the North, said he did so “without hesitation”.
He said: “The UK is one of the most regionally unequal countries in the entire world and it’s the North that bears the brunt. We desperately need action, especially in next week’s Budget, so that the North doesn’t have to play against loaded dice.”
The Labour MP said ending the ‘80:20 rule’ would bring benefits “not just in places like Hull but right across the UK”.
He was joined by a host of other northern Labour MPs including Clive Betts, the Sheffield South East MP, who chairs the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
Mr Betts said the Government’s policy of allocating more funding to dealing with housing pressures in London and the South East meant the North was left behind.
He said: “It is about a willingness to say ‘we are going to invest in the North, housing and other infrastructure projects to actually make things happen there rather than just follow where the growth is happening’.”
Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said Yorkshire’s biggest city “faces a huge challenge in delivering affordable housing for its population”.
Coun Blake said: “We are doing what we can through our
KARL TURNER: own council house building programme but the housing sector needs the support of government if it is to meet the challenge.
“We believe the criteria on which Homes England funding is distributed needs to be rethought to help all those in housing need and help close the gap between the regions.”
Matt Jackson, President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “The evidence exists to show that there is a misalignment between the demand for housing and the supply that is available in the UK as whole.
“To realise the benefits of the Northern Powerhouse Agenda we need to ensure good quality and affordable homes are being constructed in the North to retain talent, which is key to business growth and success. We also need to ensure that there is a considered approach to the planning process and delivery of new homes so people are connected to economic opportunities.”
Other figures to back the campaign include the North East Chamber of Commerce and Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham.