Regional Assembly welcomes housing plan

Under proposals announced by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, councils would be able to keep all the rental income from any homes they build and keep the receipts from any of those homes which are later sold through Right to Buy.

The extra money could free councils to invest in the building of more council houses, helping to deliver more homes for families in need.

Councillor Jim Harker, chairman of EMRA's housing, planning and transport joint board, said: "There are more than 130,000 people on housing waiting lists in the East Midlands and we need more social housing, provided that it is built in the right locations.

"We cautiously welcome the Government's proposal. Councils need the flexibility to meet this need and we hope the Government listens to the views of local authorities and partners about how to come up with innovative solutions."

The consultation on changes to the revenue and capital rules for new council housing can be found at:www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/capitalruleschanges