John Spellar MP: Shoddy workmanship blighting new build homes

Labour MP John Spellar made the claim in a heated House of Commons exchange with Housing Minister Kit Malthouse.

He tore into a number of "serious problems" with the industry, including "long delays", "unaffordable housing" and "eye watering profits and bonuses".

The Government has pledged to bring in a range of measures in a bid to build more homes to high standards and improve building safety.

They include a new homes ombudsman to support homebuyers facing problems with their newly built home – although one has not yet been appointed.

Speaking at Housing Questions, Mr Spellar, the MP for Warley, pressed Mr Malthouse over the adequacy of build quality and leasehold practices in the industry.

Mr Malthouse admitted that he wanted to see new build quality improve, and said the appointment of an ombudsman would help this to happen.

"We are also cracking down on unfair leasehold practices," he said, adding that the Government had secured an industry pledge "to end the doubling of ground rents". "There have been more than 40 signatures from the sector so far," he said.

In response Mr Spellar said that "every week there are continuing reports of shoddy workmanship, long delays in putting them right, extortionate leases... and unfinished roads, lights and pavements".

He added: "On top of that, we have seen unaffordable housing and eye-watering profits and bonuses. He should not just hive this off to an ombudsman; we need direct action from his department. This scandal has been going on for far too long."

In the same debate Eddie Hughes pressed Mr Malthouse over the Government's failure to appoint an ombudsman, despite it being agreed last October.

With a nod towards the turbulence currently engulfing the Conservative Party, the MP for Walsall North, who is a former chair of the borough's housing group, said: "I chaired the all-party group on excellence in the built environment, which recommended a new homes ombudsman, but it was October when the Government agreed to introduce one.

"Five months on, can I press the Minister to get a move on before he gets promoted to the Cabinet?"

Mr Malthouse said: "I will do my best in the time that remains to me to fulfil his desire, because it is an important one.

"If we are going to get to building 300,000 homes a year for the next generation – I know this is of particular importance to him given his background – these houses have to be fantastic, of great quality and of brilliant design, so that communities will continue to accept them in significant numbers."

The Government has said the ombudsman would be "a watchdog that will champion homebuyers, protect their interests and hold developers to account".

Legislation is planned for later this year that will require all new developers to belong to the ombudsman.

A spokesman said: "House buyers should be confident that when they purchase a new home, they get the quality of build and finish they expected.

"We will work with consumers and industry to develop our proposals and publish more details in due course.

"In the meantime, Government expects industry to continue to improve the current redress arrangements and improve the consistency of quality for new build homes."