Cameron accused of dishonesty on social housing

Unease grows about David Cameron’s policy on social tenancies

by René Lavanchy
Friday, August 6th, 2010

David Cameron has been accused of misleading the public over his plans for social housing after announcing this week that lifetime social home tenancies could end.
Mr Cameron said he wanted “a more flexible system” where better-off tenants were encouraged into the private sector.

But before the general election, the Conservatives denied Labour accusations that they wanted to end secure tenancies. Grant Shapps, then Shadow Housing Minister, told Tribune in February: “We will protect and respect the rights of social tenants.” A spokesperson called the claims “complete nonsense”.

Mr Shapps, who is now Housing Minister, promised this week that the plans would not affect current tenants.

Reports say a consultation paper will propose regular reviews of tenancies to see if tenants could be moved to a smaller home or out of social housing altogether.

Labour Shadow Housing Minister John Healey said: “Before the election Labour warned the Tories had a secret plan to get rid of secure tenancies and they accused us of scaremongering. Less than three months later we have the truth.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes told BBC radio that the plans were not coalition policy, adding: “Our party would need a lot of persuading that it has merit”.

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About The Author

René Lavanchy is staff reporter for Tribune
  • Bernard Townroe

    This is not the only lie Grant Shapps has told. He claimed cuts to affordable housing budgets were necessary because there was a ‘black hole’ in Labour’s £1.5bn ‘Housing Pledge’ programme. Following a freedom of information request, the ‘Local Government Chronicle’ has proved that was a lie – and a lie told to Parliament and repeated many times. This is an absolute disgrace and the man should resign.

  • Bernard Townroe

    This is not the only lie Grant Shapps has told. He claimed cuts to affordable housing budgets were necessary because there was a ‘black hole’ in Labour’s £1.5bn ‘Housing Pledge’ programme. Following a freedom of information request, the ‘Local Government Chronicle’ has proved that was a lie – and a lie told to Parliament and repeated many times. This is an absolute disgrace and the man should resign.

  • Trevor

    My niece (in full time employment with BT) has had to relinquish her private sector tenancy after her landlord hiked up her rent by an extortionate amount. She has had to resort to moving back in with her mother, and being single (and childless)stands no chance of being given council accommodation.

    So much for “encouraging” – i.e. coercing better-off workers into the hands of Britain’s new Rachman landlords.

  • Trevor

    My niece (in full time employment with BT) has had to relinquish her private sector tenancy after her landlord hiked up her rent by an extortionate amount. She has had to resort to moving back in with her mother, and being single (and childless)stands no chance of being given council accommodation.

    So much for “encouraging” – i.e. coercing better-off workers into the hands of Britain’s new Rachman landlords.

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