Tories plan huge rent increases and reduced rightsDavid Cameron has refused to deny reports that the Conservatives are planning massive changes for tenants living in council or housing association homes. Labour's housing minister has repeatedly challenged Mr. Cameron, demanding that he makes his position clear. But Cameron says nothing.
That is the message from a group of organisations, including the Labour Party and UNISON, the public services union, who have produced this leaflet.
The plans have been hatched by leading Tory councillors and strategists. The notes of their meetings say that tenants in council housing and housing association homes should pay the same rent as in the private sector, with the same rights.
Think about what that means.
The average council rent in South East England is £67.91 per week, and housing association £77.40. The average private sector rent is £144.69.
So rents could double.
The Tories want everybody to be on an "assured shorthold tenancy". This means tenants could be given just two months notice to leave - the landlord doesn't have to give a reason.
It would be the biggest change ever made since public housing was introduced.
So what's Labour doing?
Under the Tories, public housing was neglected. In 1997 there was a £19bn backlog of repairs to four million council and housing association homes and more than two million homes were below basic decency standards.
Since then, over £33bn has been invested in Labour's Decent Homes programme to improve people's homes. Millions of new bathrooms, kitchens and windows have been installed. By the end of next year around 95% of council and housing association homes will be warm and weather-proof. Only a Labour government will guarantee this.
Tenants are getting extra rights. For the first time, all social housing will be covered by a single regulator, putting those who live in council housing on an equal footing when it comes to housing standards and services.
This year, like last year, Labour is limiting rent rises, because we know that when times are hard, tenants will struggle to pay extra.
Horsham Labour Party is well-known for its committment to social housing and affordable housing, and has been pressing Horsham district council to stick to its published strategy of making sure that 40% of new developments are affordable and not to cave in to developers and reduce the allocation to 20%.
Show your support
- You can register your support for Labour's housing campaign at www.homes4people.org
- You can contact Horsham Labour Party via the Secretary to offer support in our local campaign
- You can donate online to Horsham Labour Party's general election campaign.