31/08/2012

House price rise - UNISON response

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is today calling on the government to start an urgent programme of building affordable homes. A survey by the Nationwide Building Society out today reveals that UK house prices have bucked the recession to rise by 1.3%.

Increasing the UK’s housing stock would not only ease pressure in the housing market, but would help turn the corner on the economic downturn. Five million people – 2 million households – in the UK are currently on housing waiting lists.

Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:

“The government needs to be bold to help our country recover from the recession. Initiating a programme of building affordable housing would stimulate growth and give thousands of low paid families the chance of a decent home.

“But when the UK urgently needs affordable housing, the government has cut funding for social housing by more than £4 billion. What it could and should be doing is making capital funding available to housing associations and local authorities so more homes can be built as a matter of urgency.