Setting the Record Straight on Southway Rent Increases

9.45.32am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

John calls for the government to intervene

John Leech MP has expressed concern over a recent leaflet sent out to some areas of the constituency by the Labour Party.

The leaflet claims that the Labour Party are pressing Southway to think again over a 7% increase in rent; despite this increase being the recommended amount which the Labour Government expects providers of Social Housing to apply. Subsequently, the Government altered this recommendation to 3% for Council Tenants only, whilst not changing the recommendation for tenants of Social Landlords such as Southway.

John Leech MP said, "Labour promised South Manchester tenants who voted to move to Southway, that they would be no worse off than if they remained with the City Council. However, it is now clear to all Southway tenants that this promise has been broken. No amount of spin can change that."

Local Councillors have launched a petition to urge the Housing Minister to include all Social Landlords in the reduction of recommended rent to 3%.

John Leech MP welcomed the petition and added, "The 7% increase in rent comes at a time of intense economic turmoil and will lead to further hardship for thousands of tenants across South Manchester. Tenants across the constituency can be assured that the Liberal Democrats will continue the campaign to get the government to rethink its policy on rent recommendations and keep the local residents informed about the real situation."

EXTERNAL LINK: You can sign the petition at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/page1173