Council house wars erupt between Conservatives and Labour groups in Milton Keynes

Yesterday Labour, who run the council, revealed headline-grabbing plans to build 500 new council homes by 2022 and a further 700 by 2030.

They said the scheme was in addition to 1,402 replacement and additional homes planned for city regeneration estates, as well as a £50m plan to improve existing council houses all over MK..

But today the Tories hit back by accusing Labour of failing to deliver council houses over the years.

Cllr Amanda Marlow, the Conservative housing and communities spokesperson, said: “Labour’s record doesn’t match their rhetoric."

She added: "Since 2018, Labour have only built 28 new council houses in MK and failed to meet their council house building targets for two consecutive years.

"At a time where temporary accommodation figures are so high and our young people are struggling to get onto the housing ladder, Labour have failed to deliver even 25 per cent of the homes they promised they would in 2018."

Labour say the newly-promised homes will be some of Milton Keynes’ most "accessible and environmentally friendly" dwellings.

Cllr Emily Darlington, Labour Cabinet member for public realm and council housing said: “Building homes for MK families is a priority for the council. After years of losing homes through right to buy, this ambitious plan to build more than 1,200 homes will rectify years of under-investment. Every building site will also support the creation of local jobs and apprenticeships delivering for local communities in this time of recession."