'Our needs have been ignored again'

MP for Ellesmere Port

The absolute need for more housing will be well and truly high on the agenda for the next Labour Government.

I was delighted to learn from our leadership at this week’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool about plans to build many more homes as a matter of priority.

I have no doubt about the requirement to construct more housing. I know from my constituency casework that access to new council housing of various shapes and sizes, to sit alongside private property developments, is critical to the needs of many of my constituents. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to state that many residents are tearful when they describe to me the difficulties they face in finding somewhere decent to live, an aim that is getting harder all the time.

Labour, in office, will go all out to deliver the biggest boost to affordable social and council housing for a generation. A safe, secure, affordable home is the foundation of a good life and one that too many people are desperately waiting for far too long.

As set out on the political programmes at the weekend, Labour will set a target of 1.5 million new homes over five years. As our leader Sir Keir Starmer said, the UK must “get real about where we’re going to build” to solve the housing crisis. He acknowledged the need to speed up the planning system and added there will be new rules on where it will be possible to build on the green belt.

And according to deputy leader Angela Rayner, who is also the party’s Shadow housing secretary, Labour will free up funds for councils and housing associations to build more homes for rent. Local authorities will also be given greater powers to “stand up to vested interests”. Developers will no longer be allowed to wriggle out of their responsibilities to provide new social and affordable homes. Labour will robustly hold them to account.

The commitment on housing will be welcomed by thousands of my constituents who live in council housing and former council homes. It marries up nicely with the key objective of the new Cheshire West and Chester Council Housing Management Board whose members have officially endorsed a pledge to tenants, particularly in ForHousing homes in Ellesmere Port and Neston, to offer: “A good quality service for people living in council housing in Cheshire West and Chester borough.”

Pledges include ensuring homes and communities are safe places to live; a high-quality standard of work and maintenance; a good two-way communication between tenant and landlord; and taking responsibility for errors when they occur.

Turning now to the Government’s recent Levelling Up announcement for investment in 55 towns, no prizes for working out which town is not included in the list of places to benefit from a 10-year, £20 million fund to be spent on people’s priorities like regenerating high streets or town centres or securing public safety.

Yes, you’ve guessed it – Ellesmere Port.

Despite my repeated protestations, our needs have been ignored again. Levelling up cannot be a reality if Government continue to cherry pick areas they want to support, everyone deserves the same opportunities.