A debate in the Labour Party on the need for a fundamental change of direction by the government, has broken out in public The recent disastrous Parliamentary by-election and local election results have opened up an unprecedented debate in public, in the Labour Party, as Labour MPs have broken cover. South Shields Labour MP Emma … Continue reading There can be no resolution of the housing crisis without a break from austerity
Category: Local Authorities
Austerity by another name: “Exceptional Financial Support”
There can be no resolution of the housing crisis without a break from austerity The financial crisis of local government is spiralling out of control. 30 councils have been granted “Exceptional Financial Support” which offers no support but only more debt. Does this impact on Housing Revenue Accounts, which are 'ring-fenced'? How does the crisis … Continue reading Austerity by another name: “Exceptional Financial Support”
Local democracy and council housing
A series of government measures threaten to undermine local democracy and give developers and the big builders a free pass to step up their profiteering. The government's Devolution White Paper proposes imposing change on councils based on an arbitrary figure of 500,000 population. It is proposing to impose tenure blind housing targets on councils which … Continue reading Local democracy and council housing
Campaigning for Council Housing under a Labour government
The acute housing crisis resulting from the disastrous Right to Buy policy and the domination of house building by commodity production, will not be resolved by changing planning law. The big builders/developers build at a pace and a scale which serves one purpose, maximising their profits. There is a widespread recognition that a change of … Continue reading Campaigning for Council Housing under a Labour government
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”
Resolving the local government and housing crises: An Open Letter to the Labour Leadership
At our meeting in December to discuss the local government and housing crises it was agreed that we would produce an Open Letter to the Labour leadership on action necessary to prevent the collapse of local authorities and to begin to resolve the housing crisis. With a general election not far away and local government … Continue reading Resolving the local government and housing crises: An Open Letter to the Labour Leadership
Zoom meeting: the financial crisis of local government and its impact on housing
The financial crisis of local authorities is spiralling out of control. Councils are running out of money as a result of the loss of grant from central government, increasing demand for services, high inflation, and the increasing cost of paying for temporary accommodation because of rising homelessness. A recent emergency meeting organised by Eastbourne council, the District … Continue reading Zoom meeting: the financial crisis of local government and its impact on housing
The financial crisis of local government and the housing crisis
"Labour council groups, CLPs and affiliated unions need to raise the alarm and demand that Labour commits to increased funding, both for local government services and for council housing." Will a Labour government come to the rescue of local government? What is it proposing to do to stop the collapse of local authorities and to … Continue reading The financial crisis of local government and the housing crisis
Liverpool council resolution on housing emergency
This resolution was passed unanimously at Liverpool Council's meeting last night. Council is appalled at the imposition of rent hikes by private landlords in Liverpool. Councillors and advice organisations are being approached by families who are now having to leave their home because of increased rent. They are at risk of becoming homeless. This is … Continue reading Liverpool council resolution on housing emergency
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 