Housing benefit system is failing Redditch’s most vulnerable tenants
New call to reform the controversial Local Housing Allowance

Karen Lumley Tory spokesman for Redditch today issued a stark warning that Gordon Brown’s changes to housing benefit rules are harming the most vulnerable tenants and reducing the availability of affordable accommodation.

Last year, Labour Ministers introduced a new ‘Local Housing Allowance’, with housing benefit going directly to the tenant rather than to the landlord. But vulnerable tenants often struggle to manage their finances and spend their rent money on other things.  Homeless charity, Crisis, has warned that this can result in rent arrears and eventually homelessness.

Landlords who were previously happy to take on tenants on housing benefit have suffered from non-payment of rent. Many landlords now routinely refuse to let to Local Housing Allowance claimants. According to the National Landlords Assocation, half of all landlords are reluctant to lend to tenants on Local Housing Allowance.

1512 people in Redditch are on local housing waiting lists, and a sizeable proportion of them are on housing benefit. Housing waiting lists have risen by 4% per cent under this Labour Government – reflecting the shortage of affordable accommodation.

Conservatives have pledged to change Labour’s failed policy. Tenants will be able to choose whether to have their housing allowance paid direct to their landlord. This will increase the availability of quality low-cost housing.

Karen said:
“Labour’s new housing benefit rules are failing the most vulnerable in our society. Landlords are put off from renting to those on benefit, slashing the availability of decent places to live. Some tenants struggle to manage their finances, using up their benefit money by rent pay day. They get into arrears and trouble as a result.

“Tenants should have greater choice, and be free to specify that their housing benefit should go directly to the landlord. This will help those most in need.”

SHADOW HOUSING MINISTER VISITS ECO HOMES

Cooperative Homes, Carl Taylor, Manager Redditch, Grant Shapps MP, Sarah Slater, Karen Lumley and Dr Chris Hardy, Chief Exec Accord Group

Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps visited a unique Eco Home development designed for local people by local people in Redditch.

Mr Shapps toured Walton Close, a £3m development of 19 low carbon homes built by Accord Housing Group for Redditch Co-operative Homes.

Mr Shapps was shown around the scheme, which residents manage themselves as a co-operative on Thursday.

The homes are built with distinctive timber panels manufactured off-site by a Norwegian co-operative, Hedalm Anebyhus, from sustainable forests.

Compared to a traditionally built house constructed 4 years ago, the homes in Walton Close will produce almost 50% less carbon and cost almost 40% less to run a year.

The 19 homes are part of plans for more than 100 timber Eco Homes either already on site or planned for the Redditch area.

Mr Shapps said: “”It was great to see how the innovative Eco develpment operates as well as getting to meet some of the neighbours who clearly love their new homes

Karen Lumley, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Redditch who welcomed Mr Shapps, said: “”It was a pleasure to welcome Grant to Redditch and to go to Walton Close the latest Jewel in the crown of Co operative homes delvelopments here. I was very impresssed by the standard of the homes and the quality of the finish. It was also great to meet up with residents who were delighted to be living in a co op home”

Dr Chris Handy, Chief Executive of the Accord Group said: “These homes have been developed in partnership with local people. They use less energy and fuel bills are much lower. They show that housing can be affordable, high quality and low-carbon. The development of low carbon housing is crucial for the planet and as well as to meet housing need.”

Ken Clarke visits ESP Electronics Line UK Ltd in Redditch

The Rt. Hon Ken Clarke was in Redditch on Friday to support Tory candidate Karen Lumley and to open a new company relocating to Redditch. Ken officially opened ESP Electronics Line UK Ltd at Target Park Lakeside and was accompanied by Karen Lumley.

“It was great to see Ken in Redditch” said Karen. “It is a very difficult time for business in Redditch so it is brilliant to see a new company opening here and I was delighted when the Managing Director asked me to arrange for Ken to visit.”

The Rt. Hon Ken Clarke QC MP, Shadow Business Secretary, said: “I am very glad to see an international company investing in Redditch during this time. Our economy is going through a very hard time and I hope very much that Karen is going to be a part of the team that is going to work to strengthen the recovery after the next General Election.”

Karen Lumley pledges to “do her bit” for British Armed Forces

Karen Lumley Parliamentary Candidate for Redditch County, has pledged to do her bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Ken Clarke visits ESP Electronics Line UK Ltd in Redditch

Karen met with representatives from The Royal British Legion at the recent Conservative party conference in Manchester where she was presented with a copy of the Legion’s manifesto for the next general election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said, “We’re really grateful to Karen for making the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns. Our message to every candidate standing at the general election is very simple: ‘It’s time to do your bit’.

“The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties,” he added. “Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration”.

Karen said, “I was delighted to meet with The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. This summer I attended the first funeral in Redditch of one of our very brave soldiers who are based in Afghanistan. This brought home to me, as a mother of a 22 year old son, just how important the Armed forces are and how much we owe to them. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to do the same by visiting the general election manifesto website – www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk – to find out more.”

Karen's new office in the centre of Redditch was opened by Andrew Mitchell MP

Reddtich County Conservatives New Town Centre Office

Reddtich County Conservatives have opened a town centre office leading up to the General Election which will now happen within the next 8 months.

Andrew Mitchell MP was present with Tory candidate Karen Lumley and leading Councillors and Officers of the party for the official opening.

Karen said,

“It is vital that we have a presence in the centre of Reditch leading up the election and we are delighted to have moved into Grosvenor House. This gives us a base in which local residents can visit and speak to me or our councillors if they want to.”

Redditch to provide more houses

Under the report produced this week by the Government office for the West Midlands Redditch is going to have to provide another 7000 new homes.

Karen Lumley the Tories Parliamentary spokesman today has warned that if Redditch were to build the required number of houses without using green belt we could see Redditch turned into a concrete jungle.

Karen said,

“I am extremely concerned about the latest report from the Government Office from the West Midlands concerning the Regional Spatial Strategy and the fact that Redditch is going to be expected to provide thousands of extra homes.

To provide this number of dwellings without using green belt will turn Redditch into a concrete jungle.

A Conservative government is committed to abolishing this strategy and recognise that these plans are utterly undemocratic and environmentally unsustainable. We would scrap this whole tier of regional planning and give power back to local communities where they belong.”