Social housing shortage 'feeding political extremism'

13 April 2012

Labour's failure to provide enough affordable social housing is feeding political extremism, a candidate for the party's deputy leadership has warned.

Left-winger Jon Cruddas said access to housing was becoming "racialised" because of a dearth of low-cost rental homes.

He argued the lack of supply had reached "crisis" point and was "a generic political problem" and not specific to London.

His comments will fuel concern among Labour strategists about losing traditional supporters to far-right groups like the British National Party in May's local elections - especially in areas like east London where ethnic tensions run high.

The BNP has made significant advances in recent by-elections, coming within a few votes of defeating Labour in some polls.

Industry minister Margaret Hodge warned last year that white, working-class voters felt neglected by the Government and were so angered by immigration and a lack of affordable housing they were flocking to the BNP.

She said as many as eight out of 10 white families in her Barking constituency had admitted being "tempted" to vote BNP.

Today's warning by Mr Cruddas - MP for Dagenham, Essex, where the BNP is the second biggest party - comes ahead of a major report on the future of social housing from London School of Economics Professor John Hills.

He said the study, due to be published next week, was "pivotal" and should pave the way for more social rented housing.

"I am going around the country a lot at the moment and it is literally the outstanding issue of public policy in terms of the responses I'm getting," Mr Cruddas told GMTV's Sunday Programme.

"Since 2003 in London alone there's 100,000 people been added to the waiting list in terms of access to social housing."

Mr Cruddas added: "It's linked to family unit size, it's linked to patterns of demographic change, patterns of migration, and a lack of supply."

The former Downing Street aide argued housing was a key policy failure by Labour, adding: "Access to housing is becoming racialised because of a lack of supply. It's feeding extremist political forms."

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly outlined plans last week for people to take their first step on the property ladder by buying just 10 per cent of a home.

But Mr Cruddas, said this failed to address "fundamental issues", adding: "It was basically about access to owning for present tenants. My concern is those who are not tenants who need units, need access to low-cost rented housing."

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