Latest News on the housing situation in England

15 Constituency Labour Parties have submitted motions to the Labour Party conference supporting the ‘fourth option’ for council housing. This significant number demonstrates the strength of feeling amongst tenants, councillors, trade unions and MPs. Last year delegates voted 8:1 for a level playing field for council housing. Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, promised an inquiry – a commitment he later withdrew.

With 92 local authorities (that we know of) opting for ‘stock retention’ and rejecting the government’s three privatisation options pressure is increasing on Ministers to concede the ‘fourth option’. Last week Communities Minister, David Miliband, conceded for the first time that the government will fail to meet its Decent Homes manifesto commitment. Direct investment – what tenants and many councillors want – would enable the commitment to be achieved. Miliband, has also said "I think that where tenants want to remain with the council as their landlord it's important to respect that decision." It’s time to make ‘tenants choice’ a reality!

Defend Council Housing will be lobbying delegates to the conference and asking them to sign an open letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. The letter has already been supported by MPs, trade union general secretaries and councillors. A fringe meeting is taking place at 5.30pm on Tuesday 27 at the Belgrave Hotel with MPs Austin Mitchell and Frank Dobson joining trade union leaders and tenants.
If you can help please in Brighton on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday get in touch.

Please also contact your local Constituency Labour Party delegate (before they leave for Brighton on Saturday) and ask them to prioritise the ‘fourth option’ for council housing for debate and to sign the open letter to John Prescott: ‘A Promise Is A Promise’