by René Lavanchy
Conservative councils intend to double social housing rent and put council tenants on two months’ notice, according to a new Labour-union campaign.
Housing minister John Healey says David Cameron has refused to respond to repeated letters asking him about “stealth plans for the future of public housing” and the views of one of his advisors, Stephen Greenhalgh. The views were echoed at a think tank meeting in 2009 attended by shadow housing minister Grant Shapps.
Mr Greenhalgh, the leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, called last year for the equalisation of private and public rent levels and abolition of secure long-term tenancies. Mr Healey says the plans would mean eight million people would be put on a two-month notice period. The average private housing rent in England is £132.46 a week, twice the average council rent of £61.63.
Mr Healey wrote to Mr Cameron in July, September and November. “The absence of a response tells its own story”, a Labour source said.
Mr Shapps denied the claims this week: “These are unfounded and baseless scare tactics by an increasingly desperate Labour Party. We will protect and respect the rights of social tenants.” However, the party’s own policy briefings commit them to encouraging councils to sell underused public housing.
