Labour say the Tory-led Government is treating social housing tenants shamefully.

Tory Ministers confirmed yesterday that the right of tenants to a secure tenancy for those already in a council house or housing association home will now not be protected.

In a statement to Parliament yesterday, Local Government Minister Andrew Stunell contradicted his government’s previous pledge that existing social tenancies would be safe, saying instead that “discretion should be available to the landlord,” regarding the ending of a secure tenancy if the tenant requires a transfer.

Finally, Labour is questioning why Tory Chancellor George Osborne did not reduce the council rent increase at a time of 4% inflation. At last week’s budget council, Brighton & Hove Labour Lead on Finance, Cllr Les Hamilton asked, “Why didn’t George Osborne, when he saw that inflation was 4.6%, adjust the formula for council rents?” Cllr Hamilton added, “He should have changed this council rent formula and reduced the increase when he had the chance.”

Brighton & Hove Labour Lead on Housing, Councillor Christine Simpson, said:

“The admission that there is no guarantee to protect the rights of existing social tenants is yet another broken promise from this Tory-led Government.

“It’s not a great time for social housing at the minute. As well as facing an uncertain future over the security of their tenancy, tenants will have to stump up more rent at a time when everyone is feeling the pinch. The Tory-led Government has also cut the money available to build new homes by 60%.

“This government had a chance to give social housing tenants a better deal but chose not to. This announcement could be portrayed as the thin end of the wedge before becoming compulsory – after all this government is great on u-turns.”

Labour’s shadow housing minister, Alison Seabeck, added,

“From David Cameron down, this government has promised repeatedly that changes to social housing will not see existing social tenants lose their right to a secure tenancy.

“That promise has been broken and tenants should be very concerned about the way the Tory-led government are threatening their right to a secure home.”