Labour government would raise HRA cap

摘要

A Labour government would lift the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap and give councils powers to tackle land-banking, communities secretary Hilary Benn has said. Mr Benn has written to council leaders following the publication of the Lyons review into housing, pledging new powers to councils. However, the HRA cap will not be raised for all councils - but on an individual basis. In the letter, Mr Benn says: 'We will make provision for individual Housing Revenue Account borrowing plans to be raised where councils present a strong business case and investment plan, allowing additional flexibility within the capital spending plans and limits to be set by the Treasury to build more council homes.' As part of his proposals, Mr Benn has pledged to let councils charge property developers who sit on land.