Bill Rammell MP has
written to Andrew Johnson, Leader of Tory-controlled Harlow
Council, calling on him to put an end to the Council’s
prevarication over the Government’s offer to halve rent increases
for council tenants this year and accept the Government’s subsidy,
following almost a year of stalling from Tory Harlow Council on the
issue.
Mr Rammell’s letter
follows written confirmation from Conservative Leader Andrew
Johnson that Harlow Council would not be accepting the Government’s
offer of subsidy.
In the letter, Mr Rammell
again refers to the Council being one of only three local
authorities in England not to accept the Government’s offer to
reduce rents for council tenants this year.
The offer of Government
subsidy – worth over £1.1 million to Harlow Council and on average
worth £150 per year to each Harlow tenant – was extended into the
forthcoming financial year in an announcement only last
month.
Bill Rammell MP said:
“Harlow is one of only three councils out of over 200 to refuse to
implement this rent reduction. Harlow’s Conservative Councillors
have shown where their priorities really lie. They should feel
ashamed for refusing the Government’s offer of additional subsidy.
I call on Harlow Council now to stop the prevarication which is
forcing tenants in Harlow to lose out. The Government made this
subsidy available to help those who need extra assistance during
this recession and it is contingent on local authorities to pass
this saving on. Harlow Council should and must do
this.”
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