Press Story

Today the Government has given more details of plans to reform social housing after David Cameron indicated that he wanted to end the policy of granting council homes 'for life'.

Evelyn Tehrani, Research Fellow at ippr north, said:

'We welcome opportunities for increasing choice for vulnerable groups. However, we need to ask how feasible this scheme will be. For example where is the spare capacity going to come from in the high-demand areas and who will want to move to the less desirable areas? And if there is low take-up of the scheme it may signal the start of compulsory swapping.

'The Government's "Right-to-move" policy is therefore a cause for concern. What will happen to neighbourhoods which are left behind? While labour market mobility is vital, encouraging those with most prospects to move out of disadvantaged areas risks reducing opportunities for those who are left behind, concentrating the most vulnerable people with the fewest choices in the least desirable areas. What is needed are policies to increase the supply of social housing and measures to improve neighbourhoods so that people will want to stay in them.'

Notes to editors:

Over the past 12 months ippr north has been carrying out research exploring the relationships between deprived communities in the North of England and their wider city regions. The research is now complete and the report which examines how to make city regions work for deprived communities is due to be published in October.

Contact:

Tamsin Crimmens, Media and Events Officer, 0191 233 9051 / 07800 742 262 / t.crimmens@ippr.org