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Social housing waiting lists are multiplying
The number of people on social housing waiting lists in the UK has increased "markedly" over the last few years, a new report has shown.
Research carried out by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC), has revealed that since 1997 the number of people on such lists has risen by 80 per cent in the UK's urban districts.
Over the same period, lists in rural areas have increased by 68 per cent.
According to the report, between 1997 and 2002 an average of 1.04 million people were on social housing waiting lists.
These latest figures have shown the number had risen to 1.77 million by 2008, an average annual increase of 68,000.
The CRC said the report was evidence that the country had been unable to avoid "the dire consequences of Labour's failure to build more affordable housing".
And according to the report, the situation looks set to worsen in the future.
"The demand for housing arising through household growth is projected to increase in predominantly rural districts by 356,000 households every five years between 2006 and 2031," the report said.
However, CRC data has shown that just 119,000 new homes have been built in the UK's rural areas over the last five years.
Commenting on the report, Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson, Sarah Teather said the need for more homes was "urgent" in order to save those who are currently "languishing" on lists.
"Tackling the shameful number of properties lying empty and unused would be a good start," she said.
"Only the Liberal Democrats are promising huge levels of investment to bring an extra quarter of a million homes back into use and create vital jobs in the construction industry."
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