Construction union UCATT has slammed proposals put forward by the Policy Exchange think tank to sell expensive social housing and use proceeds to build housing for more people in cheaper areas.

It has joined many other groups from Conservative councillors to the Guardian newspaper in criticising the proposals, which it says would result in "ghettoisation".

Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "These proposals are truly frightening and will not work. They would lead to ghettoisation, with social housing tenants forced to live on the cheaper outskirts of towns and cities. We should be increasing mixed developments, in order to break down social segregation, not reducing them."

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UCATT has been campaigning for the Government to reverse its cuts in new build social housing and for additional large scale investment in this area. This would help kickstart the construction industry and also begin to reduce the soaring housing waiting lists.

Mr Murphy added: "The housing crisis is only going to be solved by significant investment in social house building. Selling off existing homes is morally wrong and will not generate significant investment. The Government must stop prevaricating and instead provide new funding for social housing."

(NE)