Thousands of new homes could be built every year in the South West if money for benefits was diverted, a leading trade union has claimed.
The GMB said more than 6,000 new homes could be built annually in the region if half the total spend on housing benefits was invested in new social housing.
The message came as the union holds its annual congress this week in Plymouth, where shadow secretary of state for health Andy Burnham made a speech yesterday.
The assembly called for a "fundamental break" in housing policy and demanded that billions of pounds spent subsidising private landlords should be switched to building affordable new houses to let.
The figures claim 760 new homes could be built each year in Devon and 693 in Cornwall if half the spend on housing benefit was put towards new social housing.
John Philips, GMB regional secretary, said: "Housing benefits to meet housing costs for rented accommodation for those on low incomes is a Thatcher Tory policy.
"Over the past 30 years a huge slice of the £411 billion of taxpayers' funds spent on this Tory policy has been funnelled to private landlords as 'corporate' welfare. Ending corporate welfare will save taxpayer's money and will kick-start the local economy. It will provide families with better quality houses with more security of tenure."