THE Government's new Housing White Paper has been savaged by Worcester councillors - who say it will fail to tackle the "crisis".

Worcester City Council's planning committee has challenged Communities Secretary Sajid Javid over the detail behind his headline-grabbing initiatives.

Two weeks ago Mr Javid, who is also a Worcestershire MP, unveiled his White Paper aimed at building 250,000 new homes a year - almost double the current rate.

It includes reducing the time allowed between planning permission and the start of building from three to two years, a 'lifetime ISA' to help first-time buyers, and banning letting agent fees.

It also includes possible penalties for councils failing to hit targets and a £3 billion fund to help small building firms challenge major developers.

Mr Javid has also cited a policy forcing developers to build 'starter homes', available for 23-40 year-olds with combined incomes of less than £80,000, or £90,000 in London.

The maximum price for them will be capped at £250,000 outside London and £450,000 in the capital The city's planning committee has held a debate into the merits of the White Paper and delivered a critical verdict.

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Labour Councillor Geoff Williams, a former planning committee chairman, said: "There is a crisis in the provision of affordable housing for rent, and this White Paper will do nothing for that.

"No Government, of any persuasion in the last 20, 30, 40 years has really grasped this situation and here we are again.

"The figures required to meet these national targets have never been achieved in the past, and there's no reason to think they will be now.

"That is unless funding comes forward for new developments and developers are actually in a position to be able to respond, but there is nothing in the White Paper about that.

"But there will be pressure on us - it's clear there are things that can happen to us as a planning authority, if we don't deliver."

Tory Councillor Alan Feeney, a renter, said ministers need to "speak to people in my position", telling the committee figures like £250,000 for a home is a "pipe dream" for most people.

Fellow Conservative Councillor Alan Amos said the planning committee was doing its bit in giving developers permission, saying they are "not part of the problem".

Labour Councillor Roger Berry added: "There are lots of interesting ideas in the White Paper, but it all adds up to a bit of a damp squib."

The city council is planning to issue a formal response to the Government over the coming weeks.

Mr Javid has called the housing market "broken" and said the only solution is "building many more houses in the places that people want to live."

He has also admitted there is "no one single magic bullet" and called for a "proper conversation about housing need" when his paper was published.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents all councils, says the White Paper contains "some encouraging signs" on increasing housing supply and affordability.