MP blasts Government plans to axe new affordable homes and keep no fault evictions

This afternoon, local MP Tim Farron has written to the Housing Secretary, Simon Clarke, urging him to scrap controversial plans which would exacerbate Cumbria's housing crisis.

According to reports in the national media, the Government are planning to drop their manifesto commitment to ban Section 21 No Fault Evictions.

Ministers are also said to be drawing up plans to increase the threshold at which developers are obliged to build affordable housing from 10 homes to either 40 or 50 homes.

Writing to the Secretary of State, Tim said: "Given that the vast majority of housing developments in rural places like Cumbria contain fewer than 50 homes, this move would lead to hardly any new affordable homes being built at all.

"This would be devastating for young people who will be forced to move away in even greater numbers, and to local businesses who are already struggling massively with labour shortages due to already unaffordable house prices.

"Meanwhile I am astounded and disgusted to learn that your department is also planning to ditch your party's manifesto pledge to end Section 21 No Fault Evictions.

"Here in the Lakes and the Dales we have seen hundreds of people and families evicted from their homes, so their landlord can make a quick buck putting their property on airbnb. These evictions are simply immoral.

"Does this Government have no shame in u-turning on so many of its manifesto commitments?

"I therefore urge you to reconsider and rule out these two deeply damaging moves today."