Flint slams plans to 'kick out council tenants who get a pay rise'

Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

Caroline Flint has attacked Conservative plans that could see tenants moved on from their social homes if they better their circumstances.

The shadow communities minister, and former housing minister, used her speech at the Labour Party Conference to outline her vision for social housing to "serve its original purpose".

She said she was proud of Labour's record on housing, but conceded it wasn't enough, and reaffirmed commitments to provide "a decent home for all at a price within their means".

But she said she also wanted those same benefits to be spread to those who live in social housing or the private rented sector.

She said: "It should be a positive choice for many. Homes for heroes.  Homes for those in need and homes for the hardworking."

She slammed the Government's plans that will see councils able to assess a tenant's circumstances at the end of a fixed-term tenancy, which could see those who have bettered themselves asked to make way for those with a greater need.

She said: "I'm not going to take any lectures on aspiration from a prime minister who believes that, if you get a pay rise you should be kicked out of your council house."

She said under Labour the private rented sector will be "properly regulated" so that "every family that rents has security and choice".

She said: "We will not ignore that more than a million properties in the private rented sector would not meet the decent homes standard.

"It cannot be right that housing benefit continues to go into the pockets of landlords who have tenants in sub-standard properties.

"Under Labour. We will end it. To the family who own their home but worry that their children never will. To the older person wanting a smaller house. But close to the church or community they've known their whole life. To the son or daughter still living with relatives. Or sleeping on the sofa of a friend. For all those whose voice is never heard. I say, we are on your side. And we will fight to keep housing at the top of the agenda."

She backed plans announced by shadow chancellor Ed Balls at the Conference this week to repeat the bankers' bonus tax to provide 25,000 new homes.