It seems the Conservative administration is intent on not building any more social housing whilst giving the impression that social housing needs have reduced.

They are following their party’s policy of either selling off social housing or converting it to affordable rent. Both of these actions produce a reducing social housing stock at a time of high demand, leaving many marginalised by a policy driven by market forces.

For many, affordable housing is not affordable with the rent being set around 80 per cent of the ever increasing market sector. Social housing rent is set around 60 per cent of the sector.

Many of the low paid and poor are assisted by Housing Benefit. This benefit is part of the Welfare State payments funded through taxes.

The 20 per cent difference between social and affordable rents for the same type of properties may be met by higher Housing Benefit payments. Put another way, the state has to pay more because our council has moved away from social housing.

Loans used to pay for social housing only take around another five more years to pay off. It's very hard to see how the Affordable housing policy is not nasty; it certainly increases the nation’s Welfare Bill.

The questions are why is the Conservative administration deliberately running up the Welfare State Bill by pursuing affordable housing? Why have they stopped building social housing? Why are they reducing the social housing list as if the need does not exist?

If they consider those on low income, as they make out, why are they deliberately raising rents beyond the means of many? Using a politically driven policy which marginalises the poor and exploits the Welfare State just has to be wrong.

Bob Wright Councillor for Central Ward Swindon