Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sassoon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 December 2011.

Economy: Growth

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether building and renovating social housing will generate more employment than equivalent spending on road and rail infrastructure.

Answer: It is difficult to make direct comparisons between sectors but there is evidence that investment in both housing and economic infrastructure can have a positive impact on employment and economic growth. Academic evidence on the long-term productivity impact of investment in economic infrastructure is discussed in paragraph 1.2 of the National Infrastructure Plan 2011. Estimates by the Office of National Statistics show that short-term output from housing construction, repairs and maintenance has averaged 3 per cent of GDP in the last decade¹. "¹ ONS Construction Output"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 13928; 733 c234WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Construction Job creation Railways Social rented housing Roads Repairs and maintenance
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk