Northumberland Labour says it is braced for the rise in demand in council housing which is likely to occur in the next year.

It is responding to a Local Government Association report which says council housing waiting lists are likely to double next year with the impact of the pandemic putting home ownership beyond many people’s reach.

Northumberland Labour leader Scott Dickinson says: “We are braced for a sharp increase, but the Conservatives have delivered fewer than 200 of the 2,000 homes promised in 2017 with a shocking disregard or future plan.

“While they focus on working with developers to make lots of money they’ve neglected the growing need of accommodation for young and older people in Northumberland.

“Their record in the last five years is shameful. They’ve delivered little housing affordable to local people or targeted housing to support the needs of those who need rented accommodation.

“Having a decent, safe and warm home is a human right. Northumberland Labour has had a five year plan in place for some time to end homelessness and provide apprenticeships in the building trade.

“Building homes is an essential part of our strategy. It will mean that we can build greener, safer homes and provide opportunities for apprenticeships and local employment at the same time without damaging council reserves.

“House building has to be one of the major planks of Covid recovery. It is also essential to meet the needs of Northumberland residents if we want to deliver on our promise to make Northumberland the best county in the country to live in.”