News from Tom Copley (past staff): Starter Homes announcement just "smoke and mirrors"

Commenting on the Government’s announcement that it will directly commission Starter Homes on public land including Old Oak Common in West London, Labour’s London Assembly Housing Spokesperson Tom Copley AM said:

"This announcement is little more than smoke and mirrors policy making from the Government.

"The Government abuses the word 'affordable' by describing Starter Homes - which will cost up to £450,000 in London - as such. It's easy to claim you're building a record number of affordable homes when you redefine the term to include homes that most people would regard as unaffordable.

"If the government was genuine about dealing with the housing affordability crisis they would lift the arbitrary cap on council borrowing for housing and end their attack on social housing, which is genuinely affordable."