Chi Onwurah MP for Newcastle Central believes that the growing housing problem in Newcastle is partly caused by too many empty homes.
Ms Onwurah told the Minister:
“ Your Homes Newcastle tells me that of the 4,000 properties standing empty across the city, 99% are in the private sector.
“ Private landlords often prefer to let them stand empty rather than let them to local families at lower rates than they have demanded from students.
Chi then asked the Minister:
“ Constituents raise this with me all the time; how do I explain to them why the Government have decided to extend to two years the period before which local authorities can take action?
She was disappointed that the Minister offered no immediate action to tackle this major problem in Newcastle.