To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the proposals relating to council and other social housing waiting lists in the Draft Legislative Programme 2009, Cm 7654, will apply to (a) immigrants from other EU member states and (b) asylum seekers from outside the EU. (283770)

Our proposals will give local authorities more flexibility to take into account local needs and priorities when determining their allocation policies. In different localities, this might mean giving relatively more priority to people who:

Can bring necessary skills to the area, as part of efforts to promote a stronger economy

Are living in overcrowded conditions—if this is a serious local concern

Have local family connections—if housing markets make private rental or ownership unaffordable for many

Are engaging with training opportunities—where there is a particular need to address skills shortages and worklessness

Have waited longest—where this is seen as the fairest means of distinguishing between otherwise similar applicants.