Beckett: Eco-towns programme 'totally on course' » Housing » 24dash.com

The Government's programme for building new eco-towns is "totally on course," Housing Minister Margaret Beckett insisted today.

But she told MPs that ministers' plans to build three million new homes by 2020 were an "ambition" rather than a strict target.

Tories jeered her comments at Commons question time, as they pressed Mrs Beckett on the effects of the economic downturn on housing policy.

The Prime Minister announced plans to build three million new homes by 2020 last July when he put affordable housing at the top of the Government's agenda.

Today, Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir George Young (Hampshire NW) said: "Three million new homes by 2020 was a very challenging target when it was announced before the economy entered its downturn.

"Do you still think it is attainable?"

Mrs Beckett replied: "My understanding is that that was an ambition, whereas some of the more short term numbers in the programme are definitely targets.

"I do appreciate that the present difficulties do mean that people will consider whether and on what trajectory we meet the need.

"But I'm sure you share the view that I hold, which is that the need is not going to go away and therefore the targets can't just disappear either."

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: "Now you have dumped the Prime Minister's three million by 2020 target for house building and said it was only ever an ambition - when it certainly was a target according to the quotes I have from the Prime Minister here - can you tell us whether eco-towns were also only ever an ambition?

"Or does the faltering eco-town project remain on target for 10 new eco-towns?"

Mrs Beckett said, to Tory jeers and laughter: "The eco-towns programme is totally on course.

"We've only recently published the the draft planning guidance and the sustainability appraisal.

"I am not committed to any specific number. In the programme that was put forward before, one site has met the generally suitable criterion, others we believe can meet it. But they all have ambitious and difficult targets to achieve and they will be different for each one."

She said the standards for eco-town status would not be lowered. "That's the reason I am saying, I am not and nor is the Government, nor have we ever been, fixed to any specific number.

"It will depend on what meets the targets. But I will be extremely disappointed if there aren't substantially more than you are trying to pretend."

Mrs Beckett said the Government was responding to the current downturn by helping those at risk of possession, bringing forward money for affordable housing this year and next and setting up programmes to help first time buyers and the construction industry.

"While responding to the immediate challenges we are facing, the Government remains committed to meeting the long term housing needs of an ageing and growing population."

Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather (Brent E) said 1.7 million people were currently "languishing" on waiting lists for a home and urged ministers to allow councils the same borrowing rights as registered social landlords.

She said this would allow them to buy up land now, while it was cheaper, adding: "Surely the Government should be trying to make the best of the current economic downturn to plan for the future?"

Mrs Beckett said ministers were trying to make the best of the downturn and looking at ways to help councils, which did have greater freedoms than in recent years.

"I can assure you we are looking at all circumstances and all options in order to do what we can to ease people's problems through the present difficulties."