7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Housing

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:46 pm on 9 March 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Gareth Davies Gareth Davies Conservative 5:46, 9 March 2022

I don't think it's terribly relevant to a housing debate, Mike. As a north Wales Member, I can't profess to be too much of an expert on the Swansea lagoon, but what I do know is that a north Wales lagoon may be beneficial at some point in the future.

We've seen only today that petrol and diesel prices have gone up to £1.59 per litre or costing £90 to fill a car with diesel, and it's my constituents living in social housing who will suffer the most as a result of these fuel price increases.

Not only must the Welsh Government ensure that there is sufficient housing stock to meet future housing need, they must also accelerate the decarbonisation of our housing stock in order to protect social housing tenants from volatile heating costs. We also have to factor in changing demographics into our housing projections. An ageing population will place differing demands on housing. We have to ensure that the housing stock we provide is adaptable. I would like to congratulate Grŵp Cynefin in my constituency for their extra-care housing development, Awel y Dyffryn in Denbigh, which integrates housing and care, reducing the demand for care homes and ensuring elderly and disabled people can life in their own homes and remain active members of their community, yet receive any additional support they require. This is the type of thinking we need when it comes to developing our housing policies. We have to have a plan for the future whilst meeting the demands of today. Only then will we get a true grip on our housing crisis. Diolch yn fawr iawn.