Good Morning Britain aired a tense exchange between presenter Richard Madeley and Housing minister Matthew Pennycook during Tuesday's programme, as the pair clashed over the government's housing targets.
The discussion centred on Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to tackle the housing crisis with a £10 billion plan. Mr Pennycook insisted that the UK leader is not retreating on his commitment to spend the entire 10-year £39bn affordable housing budget for England on homes for social rent.
Minister defends funding approach
The politician stated that some people on the council waiting list "will get homes in the coming years as a result of this funding." He added: "This is just the initial funding to build 73,000 homes, we're holding back other funding for future waves and we'll prioritise social homes and council housing in particular as part of that unallocated funding."
Richard then pressed: "How far is that going to bring you to hitting your target ... you pledged to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. You're miles off that target. Are you saying the measures will get you there?"
Madeley caught off guard
Mr Pennycook hit back: "Richard, we had a long conversation about this, I think just over a week ago." This appeared to take Richard by surprise, as he interjected: "Yeah, I know. I just like repeating certain questions."
The minister explained: "I've been very clear, it's always been a stretching target, we know that. We think anything else would've been a dereliction of duty, given that huge unmet need across the country."
He continued: "But really importantly, I think it's absolutely vital to say that social and affordable grant funding is counter-cyclical. When the market is in the state it is, and we've got a really sluggish market, dampened demand out there for private homes, rising materials cost a lot more due to the war in the Middle East, it's even more important that the government steps in and funds social and affordable homes."
