Donaldson condemn's Labour for misleading tenants on rent increases!

1.40.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 5th Apr 2009

Reduce the rent increase!

In a recent communication distributed in parts of South Manchester, Labour has attempted to misinform residents regarding the recent rent increases imposed on Southways and other housing associations by this Labour Government.

The increase of nearly 7% is in fact the recommended increase which the Labour Government expects providers of Social Housing to apply. However, in a subsequent (and somewhat confusing) communication to local authorities the Government altered this recommendation for Council Tenants only to 3%, whilst NOT changing the recommendation for tenants of Social Landlords such as Southways.

Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson, Cllr Iain Donaldson, stated that "This means that Labour have broken their pledge to South Manchester tenants who voted to move to Southways that they they will be 'no worse off' under Southways than they would have been if they stayed with the City Council, and no number of weasel words from Ms Powell and her cronies can change that fact."

"I have raised this issue in the Council Chamber, and my colleagues in Westminster have raised the issue directly with the Government, but at present Labour have refused to budge."

Cllr Donaldson has now launched a petition calling on Margaret Beckett MP to include all Social Landlords in the reduction of the recommended rent to 3% which can be signed at the address below.

Cllr Donaldson added that "Tennants can be assured that Liberal Democrats will keep campaigning to get this Labour Government to change its recommendation to Social Landlords, and we will keep local tenant's and residents informed of the real situation."

Related Links:

PETITION: Cut the Rent Increase!

Iain Donaldson

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