David Cameron’s housing plans to build 200,000 ‘affordable homes’ have been attacked by Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh.
Cameron announced plans to turn ‘generation rent’ into ‘generation buy’ at the climax of today’s Conservative Party conference in Manchester.
He promised to put an end to the obligation of builders to offer low-cost rented homes in new developments, in a bid to increase the building of homes for first-time buyers.
The proposals were not well received by opposition MPs or by charities, who claim they do not answer housing issues.
Ms McDonagh, who worked for a housing trust before becoming a Labour MP, said: “Making it easier for people to buy their own homes is something to be celebrated.
“But sweeping away planning rules that require property developers to build affordable homes for rent with homes only to buy isn’t the answer.
“We need homes both to rent and to buy, and not political smoke and mirrors.
“Londoners will need to earn over £76,900 to afford one of these ‘affordable’ homes. This is too little too late.”
Ms McDonagh’s sentiments were echoed by national pressure group Generation Rent, which campaigns for affordable privately rented homes.
Policy officer Dan Wilson Craw said: “Starter homes will do nothing for renters who are really struggling.
“Under the Prime Minister’s plans only 200,000 relatively well-off households will get to buy a home.”
But Cameron’s proposals were backed by Conservative party members including Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond.
He said: “Cameron is addressing the most pressing issue for our country.
“The Conservatives are creating not only opportunity but also the means for ‘generation buy’ to prosper.”
The plans are part of what Cameron is calling the ‘turnaround decade’,said to be an attempt to cement his legacy.
