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Hung parliament 'would be good for housing'
Wed 21 Apr 2010
The housing crisis in the UK could be alleviated if the upcoming general election results in a hung parliament.
This is the view of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), which said the Liberal Democrats would be likely to be handed the housing portfolio in a coalition government.
Sarah Webb, chief executive of the CIH, said this would be preferable to what would happen under a Conservative government, as she believes the party may not even appoint a housing minister if it wins on May 6th 2010.
Ms Webb praised the Liberal Democrats for their commitment to bringing empty homes back into use, reports Inside Housing.
She also singled out the party's pledge to introduce a "mansion tax" as another factor in its favour, along with its promise to reform the tax system.
The CIH has already said it is willing to work with political parties in order to ease the housing crisis.
Head of policy Abigail Davies added that the organisation has "high expectations" of the next government when it comes to addressing the various problems.