Plug this homes gap

Published: 3 September, 2010

• GOOD to see councillors from both local parties firmly condemning our Prime Minister and his privileged friends’ attacks on council tenants (Contempt for workers, August 27).

We can argue about fairer access to council homes and ending current discrimination against local people who don’t have children.

But we need urgent action to bring security and affordable rents to the private sector as well as increasing the supply of rented housing through councils and non-profit-making associations.

Why can’t we have what many of our mainland European neighbours take for granted?

PAUL SCRATGATTI
Amwell Street, EC1

Comments

'Plug this homes gap' - letters 3 September

Will said, Paul.

The reinstatement of security of tenure for private tenants is vital and urgent, as is the question of the approximately 800,000 properties empty at any one time in Britain. Second-home ownership in the midst of the country's dire housing need is a scandal. The new aristocracy is no longer based on land but on property.

Meantime, the need for a land-value tax (LVT) to replace the wholly regressive and blatantly outdated council tax is gathering momentum. It should be supported by all who want a fairer - and arguably the most equitable - form of tax.

Meg Howarth

19a Ellington Street
LONDON N7 8PN

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