Let’s target inequality wherever it exists

Published: 30 July, 2010

• I AM a commissioner on the Islington Fairness Commission and a telephone engineer with a trade union background.

Can I respectfully ask James Bainbridge to reconsider his view that reducing social housing in the borough will solve the social problems that undoubtedly do exist (More homes for workers will narrow Two Islingtons divide, July 23)? 

He is certainly on very weak ground in insinuating that everyone but the Fairness Commission agrees with him.

For a start the 13,000 people on the council’s housing waiting list won’t.

And with what authority does he profess to speak for the people of Islington?

As Mr Bainbridge points out, there are plenty of jobs in Islington. 

My initial conclusion would be to look more closely into the need for better education, training opportunities and access to employment, not fewer good-quality and affordable homes. 

However, unlike Mr Bainbridge, I am genuinely interested in hearing the views of Islington residents on the issues being considered by the Fairness Commission before coming to any final conclusion.

The commission is about striving for fairness in Islington and the evidence to date indicates that this means addressing inequality wherever it exists.

GARY HEATHER
Mayton Street, N7