THE UNITED SOCIALIST PARTY
A Party that always campaigns for a fair and just society for all in Britain
Housing Issues Across The UK
New briefing on Review: DCH national meeting
"Stock transfer will become almost a thing of the past following major reforms to council housing finance, according to financial
experts." says Inside Housing this week.
New government proposals from the Review of council housing finance would scrap the current national funding system and replace
it with ‘self-financing’. Funding is pledged for repairs and improvements on a level playing field with transfer.
If Ministers deliver on the promised funding this will stop government siphoning off rents and capital receipts, and it will end the main
force behind privatisation, by funding councils to improve and maintain all council homes through direct investment. Tenants will
measure the detailed proposal - due before 21st July - to see how it delivers against what we have been demanding for years. We
will need to see fully costed evidence that proposals are sustainable.
Housing minister John Healey outlined the principles of a funding settlement in a statement on 30th June. There are strings
attached: self-financing by local councils, breaking up the national government-backed system, is a risk. Tenants will not accept
reform based on self-financing without cast-iron guarantees and safeguards in place:
* A public-sector safety net as part of the self-financing agreement
* Tighten local ring fencing of all council housing rents and receipts
* Protect low rent levels
* Defend ‘secure’ tenancies – no means testing, time limits or two-tier tenancies
As an indication of good faith we are demanding immediate action on any measures which do not require legislation. This autumn’s
subsidy determination should reflect the pledge to fully fund decent homes improvement and maintenance, by increasing
allowances so councils can do this now.
Detailed proposals for consultation document are due by 21st July. Write to the Minister and get your organisation to pass a motion
calling for Guarantees and immediate action and funding this autumn. Tenants, trade unions, councillors and MPs will continue to
campaign and hold Ministers to these promises, until we see the money in the bank and the improvements underway.
We will have a DCH National meeting to agree campaign response to the review consultation: 5th September in Birmingham (details
of venue nearer the time). The Council Housing Group of MPs report into their inquiry is being published on the internet and is due
to be printed by 5th Sept.
Government also announced on 28th June additional funding for new council and other housing. The funding for 3,000 new council
homes over two years, in addition to the budget funding for 900 new council homes, is a welcome step in the right direction. But it is
a tiny share of the money being poured in to subsidise private developers and lenders.
A massive programme of new council housing is the answer to the desperation racists and fascists seek to exploit. We need a
return to first class council housing as a tenure of choice – not to pit those on the waiting list against each other. Councils must be
resourced to build council homes to meet local needs.
What we need you to do to ensure we win the 'Fourth Option'...
1. Support our demands for safeguards and protection; for interim measures as a proof of good faith; and for a moratorium on
transfer.
2. Make sure tenants, councillors and trade unions in your area are aware of these proposals – circulate the latest briefing and hold
a meeting.
3. Write a letter to the Minister or get your organisation to pass a motion to demand Government deliver on their promises.
4. Make sure your council bids for funding to build new council housing; and holds off on any privatisation and expensive options
appraisal.
5. Bulk order advance copies of the MPs report Council Housing: Time to Invest
We need your help more than ever - including financial support. Please raise these proposals in your organisation, affiliate/re-
affiliate and make a donation to ensure we can bring this campaign to a successful conclusion.
