Re~Stirred Forum

Following on from Byrne's comments on Sunday we have this from the Socialist republic of Sandwell - http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013 ... um=twitter

Now labour are talking about entitlements and in this case for example Sandwell have brought back the housing from an ALMO so there are radical changes there. With Thatcher's death today it brings into focus her flagship RTB policy. That policy in my view was a disaster for people on lower incomes. Hesletine did want the money to allow councils to build new stock but of course was over ruled.

Now there is little stock at the lower end and this of course means more housing benefit payments to private rather than cheaper social housing.

Your right to bring this up Ian , What Labour did was bordering on disgraceful
the USSR of Sandwell & Birmingham were part of the Labour Governments Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Pathfinders in 2002
which operated in areas of low housing demand.


They were designed to remove surplus housing stock in areas where demand for housing is relatively weak; areas which have seen a significant decline in population.
In Sandwell during 2000-2010 over 1,399 homes were flattened as a result of Labours HMR programme, which caused national controversy because of the number of properties demolished.
This demolition program had a knock on effect on local schools forcing them to close during this time over 2000 primary and secondary school places were removed in Sandwell, from the boroughs education system

As there is a time lag in collecting statistics the fools were knocking down homes as populations were increasing
Read this
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/the-demolition-explosion/6518821.article

or read this it talks about Birmingham

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parliament.uk%2Fbriefing-papers%2FSN05953.pdf&ei=lDphUZrvBcHPOebzgZgE&usg=AFQjCNF-rhNBo_MCGGG5VVaUFLBh63k9DQ&bvm=bv.44770516,d.ZWU

The Blairites who created Pathfinder were Thatcher's children.

Andy, Politics cannot come in front of common sense

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/the-demolition-explosion/6518821.article
quote
Birmingham Council, which has a reported 17,000 people on its waiting list, did not respond to Inside Housing’s inquiries. However, the report considered by its councillors makes clear that it feels the 1,279 homes due for demolitions ‘are subject to poor demand or do not meet the needs of people on the waiting list’

Poor demand ????? with 17,000 on the waiting list

Back to my cynicism for our leaders
I would not be surprised if these are all 1 bed properties, the very item which is the main contention with the bedroom benefits issues

That would be the Labour Party’s flagship Pathfinder programme.

Did you agree with any Labour Party policies when in Government?

I think Andy finds it easier to agree with Labour Party policies when they're not in government. If he can find one.