ONE IN TEN SOCIAL HOMES IN CORNWALL 'NON-DECENT' (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

ONE IN TEN SOCIAL HOMES IN CORNWALL 'NON-DECENT'

August 10, 2009 1:00 PM

Almost one in ten families in social homes in Cornwall are living in what the Government has described as 'non-decent' accommodation, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

The figures, revealed in answer to a Parliamentary Question, show that 2,587 social homes in Cornwall are described as 'non-decent' - 9% of the total number of social housing stock.

The statistics follow the Government's announcement that it will pay for Gordon Brown's latest election pledges with a £225m raid on the home improvements budget, including slashing £150m from the decent homes fund.

Commenting, Julia said:

"It is unacceptable that thousands of Cornish families have to put up with living in sub-standard housing. Yet Gordon Brown is cutting funding to improve these homes - thinking no-one will notice the raid on such vital projects aimed at the most vulnerable in our communities.

"The shortage of social housing is a massive problem in Cornwall. This would best be tackled by giving councils the money and freedom to start building council homes again and improving their existing stock. Instead, the Prime Minister is robbing Peter to pay Paul, using a sleight of hand to pretend he's investing in housing, while those in the worst conditions lose out."