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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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‘Welsh Government has completely failed to tackle the housing crisis’
June 13, 2012 9:35 PM
Statistics released today have shown that the number of houses being developed in Wales during 2011-12 decreased for the first time since 2008-09.
The Welsh Government's housing figures have shown that while the number of completions in Wales has marginally increased during the last year (1%), since 2007 the number of completions has fallen steadily from around 9,000 to 5,000.
Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Housing, commented:
"While these figures are incredibly disappointing, they are not particularly surprising when considering that over the last decade the Welsh Labour government has completely failed to tackle the housing crisis. The number of completions in the most recent quarter fell to the lowest ever recorded, dating back to 1974 - the Welsh Labour Government should be ashamed of its record.
"The fact is that the housing situation in Wales is desperate. The Welsh government has identified that there needs to be 14,200 new homes built each year, of which 5,100 are affordable. Neither figure is being met.
"The lack of action from the Welsh Government regarding the building of new homes has kept prices at unaffordable levels and, as demand continues to outstrip supply, it has added to the problems faced by first time buyers in getting onto the housing ladder. It is for this exact reason why the Welsh Liberal Democrats ensured, in recent negotiations with the Welsh Government, that a first-time buyers mortgage guarantee scheme would be introduced. This will be of immense help to first time buyers that want to own their own house and can afford the monthly repayment, but cannot gather the deposit necessary - it will also provide a welcome boost to Wales' construction sector. Welsh Liberal Democrats recognise that public finances are tight, but the Welsh Government needed to think outside of the box when starting to tackle the housing problem - we have ensured that the Government does just that."