LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Britain set out plans to spend £10 billion ($13.6 billion) on lower-cost housing for renters with a focus on London, although its target ‌for offering social rent was lower than a pledge made by new ‌Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The government said around 60% of homes delivered through the funding would be for social rent — a subsidised cheaper form of rent that can be built by local councils or housing **** ociations.
That was in line with the proportion set out by the government of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which created the programme, but below Burnham's pledge to deliver ‌all housing under the programme ⁠via local councils.
Burnham, who took over in July, has said empowering local councils to build social housing, as Britain did after World War ⁠Two, could lower the amount of the welfare bill that goes to private landlords, reduce homelessness and provide security to people on lower incomes.
"Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do ‌it again," Burnham said in a statement late on Monday, which included details of the first wave of funding.

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