The post you are reporting:
A fair estimation of the situation Barry, as seen from a high vantage point by somebody who benefits directly from the apparent inefficiency of the public-spend re-cycling of money. [the selflessness is noted]
So far...so what?
"an unholy cycle"
-Council Housing. This has paid for itself over the years, but seems to be too risky/inefficient/against the avowed ideology of all Political Partys capable of forming a Government. In addition to this, the rents are geared to match those of the private sector.
-Private sector rented accommodation. This IS the preferred way to go as viewed by past (and future?) Governments of all hues. This also ties-in with the House Purchase Market, through buy-to-let. [Why worry about one mortgage when you can have many mortgages and have your tenants do the worrying?]
So, the Private Sector sets the rent for all tenants. This same sector has a business plan that 'requires' high rents at the outset and steady and substantial incremental rises in rents ad-infinitum. The tenant then has the choice of paying a high rent or getting a mortgage of their own, this then inflates the market, house prices rise, the buy-to-let owners can then cash-in on their (now) empty properties.
While it is plain to see where the money goes. Where is the money to come from? The very first thing we hear in response to this question is that taxes cannot rise. There is then heard a muffled-waffling that the Private Sector is sure to lower rents. (??) In the mean-time those in rented accommodation face the stark choice of lowering their living standards towards zero, accruing greater debt or swallowing hard and renting smaller or more squalid accommodation (far from home?).
And so...if we disregard all and any talk of increased taxes. What can be done to lower the spend, but have less impact on the tenants in the rented sector? [It must be noted that as they cannot afford the rent they will not be able to afford a mortgage, so increased building, on brown-field or green-field, for sale is pointless]
The answer at the moment is not to bother worrying over any of this, just let the market take care of it.
BUT
Just as those with their credit-card problems may have to avail themselves of soup kitchens while keeping their spending down so there should be an avenue of relief for those who pay rent. As the Landlord will not take the same hint as the supermarket the Landlord will have to be made aware that he too has benefited in an overly generous fashion over the same period of past Government Largesse as the Teacher with their pension, as the public worker with their wages and rents should be capped.
Taxes too should rise. I hear otherwise, but know better.