Prescott puts the brakes on anti-car plans

Article Abstract:

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, has indicated that the forthcoming transport white paper will not be as hostile to the car owner as was originally expected. Although it will contain proposals for congestion charging and car parking in out-of-town supermarkets, there will also be measures to help motorists. These include a motorists' charter guaranteeing standards of road maintenance, curbs on cowboy wheelclampers, and further powers to be given to the DVLA to tackled rogue car dealers. A new regulatory organisation, which may be called Ofroad, will be able to reduce roadworks and remove obstructions. It is also planned to allow motoring breakdown services such as the AA and RAC to drive on motorway hard shoulders. Mr Prescott has also confirmed that the paper will be delayed until the Chancellor's spending review, when allocation of resources will have been determined. Despite the car-friendly proposals outlined above, other measures will include the introduction of motorway tolls and possible increases in petrol duty, the revenue to be used to further an integrated transport policy, which Mr Prescott strongly supports.

Comment:

UK: Proposed transport regualtions will not be as hostile to the car owner as was originally expected

Government regulation, Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs, Ground Transportation Programs, Transportation policy, Ground transportation

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Council housing gets GB 3bn windfall

Article Abstract:

The Government is to spend GB 3bn of council housing receipts on a programme of maintenance and new building. Brown field sites will be used to start an urban renaissance. However, safeguards will be made to ensure accountability and to reduce the cost of council housing by private builders. The money will be released over three years in the run-up to the next election. Housing will thereby become one of the Government's four highest spending priorities. The Deputy Prime Minister is pressing the Chancellor to change Treasury rules to allow local authorities to raise money in loans on their rent income to build more housing.

Comment:

UK: Government is to spend GBP3 bil of council housing receipts on a programme of maintenance and new building

Government expenditures

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John Prescott, saviour of rural England? Don't laugh

Article Abstract:

UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has recently made changes to policy on housing and urban development. However, there is still too much emphasis on development on greenfield sites at the expense of urban regeneration. Prescott has dropped the 'predict and provide' approach to meeting housing demand, and has turned instead to setting a target for additional housing. However, no change has taken place in the key economic signals. There is still VAT on refurbishment and repair but not on new housing, and people are still leaving urban areas in large numbers.

Political activity, Column, Prescott, John

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