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Housing and the Credit Crunch

Despite the hon. Lady's comments about when the consultation happens, I am sure that she welcomes the fact that it is now happening. Also, I am sure that she will not be on holiday from next Tuesday until the House returns in October, and I can assure her that neither my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing nor I will be either. It is fair to say that she has never been slow to put her views forward, so I am sure that she will take the opportunity to express her views and those of local people. Obviously, if she wants to write to us or respond to the consultation, her views will be considered. The changes were underpinned by additional investment through the pledge in the local authority new build programme, which provides funding for local authorities to build affordable housing on their land. The Chairman of the Committee asked about environmental standards, and whether they will be relaxed as a result of the pressures on the house building industry. I can assure her that it is not our intention to do that because of the recession. The housing pledge will create some 45,000 additional jobs in construction and related industries over the next three years.