THE NEED FOR NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES

That this House is deeply concerned that there will be one million fewer affordable homes in 2018 than there were in 1980, while the population has grown by seven million people; notes that there are 1.68 million households on social housing waiting lists in England and Wales; points out that rents are being subsidised through housing benefit by almost £24 million a year, or about 30 per cent of the entire UK welfare bill; and urges the Government to fuel a massive social house-building programme amounting to around three million affordable homes by 2030, which would not only provide the needed housing but would substantially cut the welfare bill.