Caroline Flint's Labour conference speech in full » Housing » 24dash.com

Here is the full text of Housing Minister Caroline Flint's speech at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester today:

"May I begin by expressing gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the National Policy Forum process and those members who contributed to the Affordable Housing Sub Group report, which I commend to you today along with the National Policy Forum document.

"My gratitude also to Holborn and St Pancras, Gravesham and the other constituency parties that remitted motions last year. 

"Housing policy is too important to be determined by a 'once a year' conference show down.

"There is far more that unites than divides us.  And that is why I want to continue to work with Labour MPs and councillors, in Camden and elsewhere, to achieve what we all want, Decent Homes. 

"I look forward to working with everyone towards this common purpose.

"During recent months, there has not been a family in the country who has not considered the importance of their home.

"More than mere bricks and mortar; a home embodies a family's hopes, their savings, their history, their family memories.

"And at times like the past week, with growing insecurity over housing, each of those families needs to know that this Government has the right people; Taking the right decisions At the right time.

"And Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling showed that leadership again during this past week's events.

"During global turmoil, Labour's first and only priority has been to help families see their way through this uncertainty.

"With the Prime Minister and the Chancellor we announced a new housing package:

• £400m brought forward to provide social housing during the downturn

• Funding for housing associations to buy up unsold stock

• Raised the stamp duty threshold to £175,000 for one year.

• A Mortgage Rescue scheme to help families keep their homes;

• And free legal advice at every county court in England and Wales - because with the right advice, almost 9 out of 10 repossessions can be avoided.

"Whether you are buying or selling a home; whether a first time buyer or a family struggling to keep up their mortgage payments;

"Labour will not stand by and do nothing. 

"Labour is on your side.

"How different, in the early 1990s when I bought my first home. 

"Interest rates soared into double figures. We struggled to make the payments. But we were lucky. We kept our home. Many people were less fortunate.

"In just three years, two hundred and fifty thousand homes were repossessed. 

"A quarter of a million personal tragedies. 

"And the Tories did nothing. 

"And who was advising the Tory Chancellor at the time - David Cameron.

"The wrong people. Making the wrong decisions. At the worst possible time.

"It nearly broke our society in the 1990s.  We must never let David Cameron reap that carnage a second time around.

"So what is the Tory response to the housing downturn now............to scrap hips......Their only policy. It is pathetic!

"If they didn't pose such a serious risk to our country's future it would be almost funny. 

"Despite the downturn, we will not reduce our ambitions. 

"Britain needs more homes. 

"Sceptics ask me to scrap our target of 240,000 new homes a year - 3 million more homes by 2020. 

"They want us to admit defeat. 

"We won't give up that easily.

"Labour will build the homes Britain needs.

"And we will rise to the challenge of climate change, creating greener homes for all including 21st Century Eco Towns. 

"Saving energy. Saving you money.

"And so I can confirm today, we will provide the opportunity for local authorities to access the grants necessary to build again. 

"In the next decade, I want to see local councils, once again play a central role, not only building more homes, but providing leadership in meeting the housing needs of their community, across all sectors.

"And to Labour MPs and Labour councillors, let's take on the Tories and Liberals and win the argument for more homes. 

"Let's make a better case for "good" development which brings benefits to existing communities as well as to new tenants and owners. 

"And let us continue to be the voice of those for whom the market has not provided.

"Let us remain the party of aspiration, of homeownership for the many not the few. 

"Today, there are 1 million more homeowners than a decade ago, thanks to Labour.

"The right to own a home should not depend on the bank of mum and dad. 

"And we must remind the British people that we offer: More paths to home ownership. More fairness. More opportunity...

"Such as the new HomeBuy Direct:-
 
Equity loans as deposits...

Interest free for 5 years...

"All thanks to a partnership between the government and builders.

"And what about our social housing stock?

"I am pleased to report that last year, was the first year since the 1980s, that more social housing was built than was sold. 

"So we will continue to support the right to buy, coupled with our commitment to build 45,000 new social homes a year. 

"And yes, I have heard loud and clear the concerns about the quality and affordability of some private rented accommodation. 

"Whether it is HMOs in seaside towns and student areas, or dodgy landlords in inner cities, I am looking at what more we can do. 

"And to good landlords, I say, work with us and with local government to provide the homes that people need. 

"The choice for Britain is simple. A Labour Government on your side. Or a Tory Government...and you are on your own.

"Labour...The right Government for Britain...when times are good...and when times are tough.

"The only Government with real ambition for our country.

"So I say to every family who want to be proud of where they live...and everyone who wants a decent home…come home to Labour."