Union in call for action on scale of ‘social cleansing’
UNISON is calling for action to help people in rented accomodation, as research reveals the scale of the impact of welfare reforms and rising rents on those in London in particular.
The Independent newspaper published research highlighting the problems people on low incomes have trying to afford housing in London – the area of the UK that has been hardest hit.
The reforms and rising rents have led to accusations of ‘social cleansing’ – now given further weight with the news that more than 50,000 families have been forced out of their local communities in the capital moving to new neighbourhoods in outer London or out of the city completely.
UNISON is now warning that cuts to housing benefits have left thousands of people – particularly the young – more at risk of rent arrears, evictions and homelessness. The union is also concerned about the impact on families of being forced to move out of the community and children being forced to change schools.
The union is calling on the next government to:
- reintroduce rent controls – to limit rent increases – as part of a wide range of measures around licensing and regulatory standards to effectively regulate the private rented sector;
- reform the benefit system so that it protects the vulnerable; and
- build more social and affordable homes to widen the housing options of people.
In particular, UNISON is calling for a new housing benefit deal for young people to ensure that they are adequately protected and have access to decent accommodation.
