£250K "affordable homes" for those on £80K shows government is out of touch with South Lakes - Farron

Speaking in parliament today, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has slammed the government's housing proposals, branding them "unambitious" and asking the Minister "what planet he is on" for defining affordable housing as being a home that those earning up to £80k could afford.

The government has announced plans to build more affordable homes which it defines as homes costing up to £250,000, and aimed at households with a combined income of up to £80k for those outside London.

In an exchange with Communities and Local Government Minister Sajid Javid MP, Tim pointed out that the average wage in his Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency was £26K, meaning that even a couple who were both earning that wage would fall significantly below £80k.

Tim called for the government to build new social rented homes, and to help councils do this by lifting the council borrowing cap and providing government capital funding for new social rented homes.

Tim said: "The government's plans show how out of touch they are with real people, and the difficulties faced in finding affordable housing, particularly in a rural area like ours. The fact the government thinks £250k is an affordable price for a home is staggering, it shows that they really don't get it.

"Here in South Lakeland, the district council is doing an excellent job of helping people find affordable housing, and is on track to meet its target of building 1000 affordable homes to rent by 2025. The government would do well to follow this example."