SURVEY REVEALS HOUSING DOMINATES MPs' CASEWORK

Four out of ten Conservative MPs and all Labour MPs, want an increase in investment in social rented housing, according to a survey commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Federation of Housing Associations.

If this was translated into Commons votes 439 MPs would be in favour and 207 against, say the two organisations in a joint statement.

Jim Coulter, chief executive of the NFHA said:

'From our survey we know that housing problems dominate MP's casework, In fact, a majority of MPs would vote for increased spending on social housing.

'The government has slashed spending on housing associations by £600m over the last two years. This does not reflect the views of the majority of MPs and does not address the problems landing on MPs desks every day. In this year's budget we would like to see these cuts reversed. Our survey reveals that there would be widespread political support for an increased investment in this area'

The survey found that housing dominated MP's casework, taking up more time that law and order, health, and education. However, when questioned about their level of political interest, MPs ranked housing fifth out of six issues they were asked about.

Christine Laird, chief executive of the CIH said;

'Housing should be higher up the political agenda. Our survey shows that if MPs casework is anything to go by, housing is already at the top of the public agenda. Despite the number of people caught in the housing crisis, MPs in our survey rank housing near the bottom of their interests. Why don't MPs listen to their constituents they represent and make housing their number one priority?'

The survey was conducted by BPRI who interviewed a representative group of 100 MPs in July 1995.