End This Cruel Attack

Jack Blanchard writes:

Leaders of major English cities are demanding David Cameron ends his cruel attack on council tenants. 

Local authority chiefs from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle have joined forces to issue direct calls for the PM not to axe lifetime tenancies. 

The Tory scheme, unveiled last month, would end the long-cherished right to a home for life for all new council tenants. 

MPs will vote on the measure next week as the Mirror continues our campaign for it to be ditched immediately. 

Liverpool’s Mayor Joe Anderson said: “People have a right to put down roots without the threat of losing their home hanging over them.

“That threat means they can’t plan for the future – and nor can councils on issues such as provision of school places. 

“This is just another vindictive Tory measure to penalise working families.”

Greater Manchester’s Mayor Tony Lloyd said:

“The plan will hurt families and neighbourhoods. It is another example of this Government’s seeming vendetta against social housing.” 

The comments are damaging for ministers who have tried to paint the abolition of lifetime tenancies as a positive step to free up council homes. 

Under the plan, new tenants will only be offered leases for between two and five years before having their circumstances reassessed and possibly facing eviction. 

Existing council tenants will not be affected. 

But the move will over time destroy all sense of community on council estates and cause misery for millions of families, say critics. 

Birmingham Council’s leader John Clancy said: “Surely everyone has the right to a stable home.

“But this ill-thought-out proposal withdraws that fundamental right from vast numbers of families, condemning them to lives of upheaval and uncertainty.”

Leeds Council chief Judith Blake said: “Lifetime tenancies have provided residents with secure homes for decades.

“For many people home ownership is still out of reach and council housing has allowed families to grow up together in familiar surroundings and support a cohesive sense of community.

“We are deeply concerned the Government has decided to tear away this stability from so many.” 

MPs will debate the third and final reading of the Housing and Planning Bill in the House of Commons next week.

The ban on lifetime tenancies was slipped into the Bill after its second reading – despite not having featured in the Tory election manifesto.

Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes said: “The Bill is designed to punish people for the ‘Tory crime’ of living in a council house.”

The Communities and Local Government Department said: “The measure will ensure we make the best use of social housing and help councils better plan for communities.”