Islington Greens have called on the Labour Council in Islington to follow Brighton Green Council’s lead and ensure that none of its social tenants will be evicted if they cannot afford to pay the government’s forthcoming ‘bedroom tax.’
Islington St George’s ward by-election candidate Jon Nott said:
“The so-called ‘spare room subsidy’ is yet more immoral and harmful legislation from this morality-free coalition government. As Greens, we believe it is unfair to throw people out onto the streets when this change leaves them unable to pay their rent.
Islington Junction by-election candidate Mick Holloway said:
“Greens in Brighton are bringing forward proposals to ensure that no household will be evicted from a Brighton and Hove City Council owned home as a result of ‘spare room subsidy’ rent arrears accrued solely from that household’s inability to pay this unjust bedroom tax. We call on the Labour Council in Islington to do the same.”
Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas added
“The so-called bedroom tax legislation is not only morally wrong and a cause of great potential hardship, it is also unworkable in areas with a long waiting list for smaller properties. … we should not be prepared to evict hard-pressed families, the disabled and other vulnerable people purely because they are unable to pay this unjust levy on a home they either cannot or should not have to leave.”
Caroline Allen, local campaigner said
‘I’m proud that the Green Council in Brighton has taken this step to protect some of the most vulnerable people in Brighton. With Islington having its own serious housing crisis we very much hope that Islington Labour will be following this lead and protecting vulnerable residents.”