There is a pressing need to build more houses in this country.
More than 3.5million people are living in overcrowded homes, including more than one million children.
Boris Johnson today had the opportunity to address this crisis. Instead he used a speech in Blackpool to announce policies that are likely to make a dire situation even worse.
His plans to extend right-to-buy to housing association tenants will fuel housing demand while doing nothing to address supply.
The measure will push up prices, increasing the wealth of existing homeowners, while reducing the stock of affordable homes to rent.
Tory claims they will replace any housing association homes sold off with a like-for-like replacement are worthless.
The Government’s own analysis said it is unlikely all homes will be replaced and those that are will be “on average smaller” and more expensive to rent.
This Government has abandoned its target of building 300,000 a year. Mr Johnson’s plans completely fail to match the task in hand.
Forced to act
Nobody wants to see this summer disrupted by a wave of strikes.
But hard-pressed workers have been forced to threaten action as wages have failed to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living.
A few months ago Boris Johnson was urging firms to pay their staff more. He dismissed the prospect of soaring inflation as “unfounded”.
Now the Prime Minister is demanding wage restraint to prevent inflation spiralling.
The Conservatives are itching for a showdown with the unions to distract attention from their mishandling of the economy.
They should be trying to negotiate a settlement rather than inflaming the situation.
Will to help
Prince William has been spotted selling the Big Issue on the streets of London.
Seeing a royal wear their heart on their sleeve is a breath of fresh heir.
