Government must maintain investment in housing

The president of the Chartered Institute of Housing has urged
the government to maintain its investment in housing, ahead of the
2006 comprehensive spending review, writes Simeon Brody
from Harrogate.

Opening the institute’s annual conference in Harrogate,
Ian Richardson called on the government to reduce VAT on housing
repairs to help turn empty homes into decent homes.

And he said it should release more funds to house vulnerable and
older people currently living in unsuitable accommodation.

Richardson also called on the housing sector to become obsessed
with customer satisfaction and not defend poor practice.