Low-paid will be forced out of Islington, MP Jeremy Corbyn warns

Published: 20th May, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

MP Jeremy Corbyn has led a House of Commons debate on the lack of social housing, explaining that it was the number one issue in his Islington North constituency. 

He noted that about 30 per cent of Islington residents live in private rented accommodation, and added: “Not all landlords are uncaring but many private tenants struggle with high rents, insecure tenancies and poor maintenance.”

The Labour MP warned that forthcoming changes in housing benefit would mean many families on low incomes would be unable to pay their rent. They would be forced to move, with enormous distress and disruption to family life.

Mr Corbyn thought these problems could best be addressed by the introduction of rent controls and security of tenure in the private sector, not by cutting benefits.  

He  quoted the interim report of Islington Fairness Commission, which noted that, of 12,000 families on the council housing register, only 5,000 qualify to bid through the choice-based lettings system.  

The commission called for a review of the council allocations system and improved efficiency, as well as increased efforts to tackle under-occupation of homes. 

It recognised the desperate need to build affordable homes.

Mr Corbyn said: “Under the government’s new regime, housing associations and councils are being urged to raise rents to 80 per cent of market rates and use the income to build new properties.  

“Housing associations are told to build for sale and for commercial rent, and if there is any money left over to build for social rent.  

“These organisations, founded with the aim of providing secure, good-quality accommodation for people in housing need, are being forced to become essentially house-building companies, providing small amounts of social housing almost as an afterthought.  

“This will not solve London’s housing problems.”

 Mr Corbyn congratulated Islington’s Labour housing chief Councillor James Murray on managing to squeeze £10million out of the council budget to invest in building homes for rent despite massive cuts in housing investment by the government.

“Our city has uniquely high property values and there is a real danger that, without more investment in decent affordable homes, London’s cleaners, shop assistants and bus drivers will simply have to move out,” he said.