London:(By Staff Reporter | UK Politics & Housing) Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill has welcomed the Government’s renewed focus on social and affordable housing, saying it is a vital step toward addressing Britain’s deepening housing crisis. Speaking as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer outlined the Government’s plans in The Guardian. Gill said investment in social and affordable homes is essential to provide security and stability for families struggling with rising housing costs and long waiting lists.
Gill pointed to the long-term impact of the Right to Buy policy, arguing that council housing stock has been steadily depleted for more than four decades. She noted that the pressure is now being felt most acutely by households waiting for social housing and by children living in temporary accommodation.
“Social housing is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about giving families, young people and vulnerable people the security, stability and dignity they deserve,” Gill said.
The MP highlighted concerns that a significant share of homes originally sold under Right to Buy have since moved into the private rented sector. At the same time, the housing benefit bill has continued to rise. She argued that rebuilding the supply of genuinely affordable homes is necessary to reduce pressure on renters, local authorities and public finances alike.
According to Gill, the Government’s investment plan represents an opportunity to reverse years of decline in social housing provision and restore housing as a foundation for stable communities rather than a source of insecurity.
Housing campaigners and local councils are expected to scrutinise the details of the programme in the coming months, particularly how quickly new social and affordable homes can be delivered and whether councils will receive the powers and funding needed to expand housing stock.
For many families on waiting lists, Gill said, the test will be simple: more affordable homes built, fewer people stuck in temporary accommodation, and a fairer chance of securing a stable place to live.