The Socialist 8 October 2008

Where is the bailout for us?

Editorial: Casino capitalism's crisis continues

Lessons of the 1990s recession in Japan

House building hits new low

Responsibility for the 'age of irresponsibility'

Tories grasp at popularity

Campaign to defeat fees!

Students look for socialist ideas

University workers fight pension attacks

NUT strike ballot: Action on pay can win

A day in the life of a care worker

The sacking of Blair, London's police chief

Socialist meeting blocked by councillor

No to incinerators, give us a real say!

Keep the Metro public!

Mbeki dismissed by ANC as South Africa's president

"Telling the boss: You can't do that"

Fight against the Unison witch-hunt

Frustration with union leadership

Another victory in Greenwich

Workplace news in brief

Previous issues, etc

Print this issue




Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/551/6469

Google search the site	Printable version	email to friend

Home | The Socialist 8 October 2008 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Bookshop

House building hits new low

ACCORDING TO the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the rate at which new homes are being built by the private sector has fallen to a new record low. This has pushed the government's promise of building two million new homes by 2016 even more wildly off course.

60% more surveyors reported a fall rather than a rise in private sector construction workloads over the past two quarters. Surveyors' workloads are falling at their fastest pace since Rics started carrying out statistical studies 14 years ago.

66,220 homes were built in the first three quarters of 2008 and now with the finance crisis hitting bank activity, this is extremely unlikely to improve in the short term.

New Labour has entrusted the private sector with implementing its aim of solving the problem of the shortage of affordable homes. This will fail. A large-scale programme of public-sector housing is now much needed.

With more council housing and an end to the privatisation of council estates, decent family homes could be built and made available at affordable rents, with secure tenancies.

In this issue

Credit crunch

Where is the bailout for us?