London council asks to relocate families to Stoke-on-Trent
A LONDON council has asked a Stoke-on-Trent housing association to take on some of its poorest tenants because of the Government's housing benefits cap.
Newham Council said spiralling rents - partly pushed up because of the London Olympics - had forced it to approach Brighter Futures with a view to relocating families 160 miles away.
-
Gill Brown
The council says it has written to 1,179 housing associations in a bid to find accommodation for 32,000 families on its waiting lists.
Mayor Sir Robin Wales has spoken on Radio 4's Today programme and said a combination of spiralling rents in the borough - which hosts the London Olympics – and the housing benefit cap meant it could no longer afford to put up tenants in the private-rented sector.
This Sunday between 11am & 4pm with FREE admission at the Moat House Hotel Festival Park we will be exhibiting with some special show offers, the weather forecast isn't good but our deals are
Terms: Visit us or pick up a voucher at the show to be eligible
Contact: 01782 342609
Valid until: Sunday, June 23 2013
But Housing Minister Grant Shapps accused the Labour-controlled council of “playing politics” in the run-up to next month’s local government elections.
Gill Brown, chief executive of Brighter Futures said London boroughs should not be allowed to “dump” tenants on cities such as Stoke-on-Trent.
She told Radio Five Live this morning: “I think there is a real issue of social cleansing going on.
"We are very anxious about this letter, which we believe signals the start of a movement which could see thousands of needy people dumped in Stoke with no proper plan for their support or their welfare."
Comments
by Southernexile
Friday, April 27 2012, 1:47PM
“This would be the last place they'd elect to come too so I dont think you'll need to worry.”
by Goach
Friday, April 27 2012, 11:05AM
“Two words for Newham council............. one starts with 'f'' and the other is off”
by Wozzer101
Friday, April 27 2012, 10:39AM
“I know Johntoe, great isn't it for god sake, give them till just after the election in London and the city well enter Marshall Law until the end of Aurgust. I say we in the sticks down tools and tell them get stuffed to show the true extent of the problems.”
by truestokie
Friday, April 27 2012, 10:21AM
“Well tonyjohnt your lot of Communists and the Tory's have realy made a success of it haven,t they.
After all this is Labours "open door" policy that has created it.”
by Tonyjohnt
Friday, April 27 2012, 1:31AM
“Yes mainstar, it could be much worse! Next stupid question...”
by yamerama
Thursday, April 26 2012, 9:48PM
“With 44 councillors this area should cope with anything. The leader even manages to fit in a full time job, it's that well run.
Years ago, we were told that the future would bring increased leisure time, computers and high tech doing our work while we enjoyed life. It's come true, unlike flying cars and space travel, benefits have made it happen. Let's welcome these folk to join us in this, the creative county. Tiny name adjustment needed though to 'St Modwen Benefit Sity'...”
by mainstar
Thursday, April 26 2012, 9:04PM
“If only us fools would listen to Steve Batkin and that other intellectual giant, Nick Griffin... things would be so much better!
Couldnt be any worse could it”
by Johntoe
Thursday, April 26 2012, 5:10PM
“Woz, the Chinese DID do it mate, They moved thousand of poor peasants out of the way for their olympics, and got slammed for it our media,
The Tories do it and our media's silence is deafening.”
by Redpitlad
Thursday, April 26 2012, 2:54PM
“senteisteve
I'm all for change whether its high tech industry/ offices,light industrial just about any thing which will bring in a new work/ new houses/and it people plus our own gaining employment and boosting local commerce.
what we don't need any more of is the problems Newham wants to export here...!
of which, we have more than enough of..! in this city or ready.”
by senseisteve
Thursday, April 26 2012, 2:02PM
“Redpitlad ... for once - and in-part - i agree with you ... absentee landlords that a lot of the time can't even be traced ... a real blight on our city.
... my point about the high-tech industry (we can dream eh!) is that the end result would not be - in some respects - too different .... too much demand for limited services ... inundated schools (although not necessarily the same ones as the Newham residents would attend) hospitals, roads etc .....
It's just that those who'd feel threatened by a middle-class 'invasion' would be more likely to be heard than those who are likely to be in competition with the proposed influx from London for housing, social care, education etc etc.”