A survey for the Local Government Association found action to tackle climate change was being “strangled” by the current arrangements under which councils must bid against each other for an array of Whitehall funding pots. The survey found two thirds (67 per cent) of councils were not confident in hitting their net zero targets, putting … Continue reading Most councils pessimistic about net zero because of national approach
Author: lcfch
Labour needs to break with austerity, not continue it
"Councils cannot provide the services nor the council homes that are needed if they are not funded on the basis of social needs." At the launch of Labour's local government campaign Keir Starmer was asked if a Labour government would plug the £4 billion funding gap of local authorities over the next two years; the … Continue reading Labour needs to break with austerity, not continue it
Worthing to introduce a selective licensing scheme
This is Councillor Emma Taylor's speech on her proposal to introduce a selective licensing scheme for private landlords in three areas in Worthing. "This report demonstrates Worthing Council’s ambition to better protect our citizens by tackling poor standards in private sector homes. The proposal is to develop a selective licensing scheme that will enable our … Continue reading Worthing to introduce a selective licensing scheme
Why I support the Labour Campaign for Council Housing
Bell Adeiro-Addy is the Labour MP for Streatham. The necessity of a campaign for council housing has never been greater. With a chronic lack of investment into affordable social housing, innumerable numbers of people are being forced into the private rental market where Section-21 No-Fault evictions are rife, landlord abuses and neglect are endemic, and … Continue reading Why I support the Labour Campaign for Council Housing
Mick Whitley calls for ‘wealth tax and genuinely progressive tax reforms’
Mick Whitley, Labour MP for Birkenhead, is supporting our Open Letter for resolving the local government and housing crises. Here are extracts from his speech to Parliament in response to the budget. “The British public understand what this government does not, that you cannot cut your way to growth. They remember how the Tories ideologically … Continue reading Mick Whitley calls for ‘wealth tax and genuinely progressive tax reforms’
Local government financial crisis: 19 councils granted “Exceptional Financial Support”
Nineteen councils have been given “Exceptional Financial Support” for the next financial year, 2024/25 and 8 for this financial year, 2023/4. The term “support” sounds like like government money, but in fact it is merely permission to borrow or to sell off assets. This may stave off councils issuing section 114 notices until after the … Continue reading Local government financial crisis: 19 councils granted “Exceptional Financial Support”
The housing record of New Labour – a speech by Paul Watt
"So in other words what’s happened is this... the political party which created this part of the welfare state (council housing), cut it off at its knees – and – they didn’t build any more.". This is a speech by our member Paul Watt, from 2016. It gives a good overview of the disastrous housing … Continue reading The housing record of New Labour – a speech by Paul Watt
“Take back control of the decisions about where they live”
This is reproduced from the Greater Manchester Tenants Union website. Greater Manchester Tenants Union Continues Work With Unit 38 Architects In December we welcomed back Unit 38 Architects to work with members in two of the key neighbourhoods where we are carrying out long term community organising, Hulme, and central Rochdale. Working together with wide groups of … Continue reading “Take back control of the decisions about where they live”
Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector
We reproduce here a contribution to the consultation on repairs in the social rented sector from the London Tenants Federation. London Tenants Federation London Tenants Federation (LTF) is a membership organisation bringing together a range of borough, neighbourhood and London-wide federations and organisations of tenants (including leaseholders) of social housing providers (both council and housing … Continue reading Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector
“Unfreeze the temporary accommodation subsidy”
As we have written before the freeze of the Local Housing Allowance is one of the key factors driving the financial crisis of some councils, especially, though not exclusively, district councils. We reproduce here Emma Taylor-Beal's speech to Worthing council on the temporary accommodation crisis. Emma is the Cabinet member for Housing. Ahead of the … Continue reading “Unfreeze the temporary accommodation subsidy”
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 