A WORCESTER councillor has launched a stinging attack on the Government’s ‘pay to stay’ policy which will force social housing tenants to pay higher rents.
Labour councillor Elaine Williams, who represents Warndon on Worcester City Council, took to the stage at Labour’s conference in Liverpool on Sunday (September 25) where she said the policy will ‘create even more uncertainty for families.’
Due to come into effect next April, the ‘pay to stay’ policy will force social housing tenants with gross household incomes of more than £31,000 to pay more rent.
Speaking to delegates at the conference, Coun Elaine Williams said: “This Tory Government, under Theresa May, will make the situation worse.
“The unfair ‘pay to stay’ policy, a new name for means testing, will create even more uncertainty for families who thought that at long last they had security of tenure.
“Worcester’s Labour council is working closely with housing associations to help families have stable homes. We are cracking down on rogue landlords and working to ensure empty properties are made available.”
During her speech, the Warndon councillor also raised the issue of Worcester’s social housing waiting list which has more than 2,000 residents waiting for a home.
“In Worcester the waiting list for social housing is over 2000. These are not just statistics, these are real people – partners with children, single parents, the elderly and the vulnerable.
“There are thousands of people living in the private rented sector. They are stuck, unable to buy a home and are in a cycle of short term contracts with no security of tenure, high agent’s fees and ever rising rents.
“It is not good for children to be constantly on the move. Their education is severely disrupted and it can loosen ties with family and friends.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government, said: “It’s simply not fair that hard-working people are subsidising the lifestyles of those on higher than average incomes, including tens of thousands of households earning £50,000 or more.”
