Budget reaction: Wrekin's chief executive gives his view on the budget

The chief executive of the Wrekin Housing Group gives his view on some of the key housing announcements in the Labour government's first Budget.

Wayne Gethings, group chief executive at the Wrekin Housing Group, said: “The need for greater investment and support for the housing sector, and particularly in social and affordable homes, was rightly a significant feature of the budget.

“It’s clear the government recognises the scale of the challenge, and acknowledges that turning the tide on the housing crisis will be crucial in its ambitions to grow the economy.

“The five-year rent settlement announced by the Chancellor is welcome and brings a degree of certainty to the sector, allowing us to better plan for the future, manage our budget and continue investing in the maintenance and improvement of our existing homes.

“But what is really needed is a 10-year settlement, which would give us the stability to plan and deliver thousands more desperately needed affordable homes across our region. This is something we will be pushing the government for during the consultation that was also launched.

“The £500m boost for the Affordable Homes Programme is a promising first step to ensure the continued delivery of new housing across the country, and we look forward to hearing in the Spring Statement about what the government has got planned for future grant funding.

“While the proposed rent settlement and additional Affordable Homes Programme funding is welcome, we do need to be mindful that the budget also includes some additional costs of doing business, and this could have an impact on delivery of services.”

The Wrekin Housing Group provides homes for affordable rent, as well as care services, across Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire and Staffordshire. 28,000 people call the almost 14,000 Wrekin properties their home.

Wrekin recently announced that together with Housing Plus Group they will be merging to create one of the largest social housing providers in the region.

1st November 2024