John Prescott has launched what is described as the most comprehensive review of housing in England for nearly 25 years.
The deputy prime minister published a Green paper entitled Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All. It has been put out to consultation until July 31 and includes many social provisions for vulnerable people.
The paper indicates the government’s desire to quicken the sale of transfer of council estates to housing associations and private companies which would be set up and run by local authorities at “arm’s length”. This would take most of the 3.7m council homes out of the control of town halls by 2004. The Independent comments on the “feeble” performance of shadow environment secretary Archie Norman in response to the Green Paper.
The Times 05/04/00 page 15
The Independent 05/04/00 page 8 (The Sketch)
Financial Times 05/04/00 page 6
The Guardian 05/04/00 page 15
The Daily Telegraph 05/04/00 page 2, page 16
