Housing Holds Key to Success at Next Election

Nearly a quarter of a million jobs will be created under a Labour government by giving greater freedom to smaller firms to build homes, the party will claim this week, as Ed Miliband sets the stage for Labour's 2015 election campaign.  Emma Reynolds, the shadow Housing minister, will unveil measures to guarantee access to land for smaller firms and custom builders rather than construction giants and say that up to 230,000 jobs could be created. Her speech tomorrow (14 January) is the first of five from the Shadow Cabinet in the next few weeks on how a Labour government would tackle the cost-of-living crisis, including a set-piece address from the Labour leader on the economy later this week. With just over a year to go before polling day, Mr Miliband intends to step up the "cost of living" campaign with fresh policy ideas on education, housing and jobs. Read more on the Independent website.