04/12/2017

New Forest Workers Face Losing Their Homes

Workers in the New Forest face the prospect of losing their homes if the Forestry Commission goes ahead with 'draconian' rent rises of 80 per cent over the next two years.

About 25 workers, who earn about £21,000-a-year, will be hit if the commission increases the rents by 40 per cent in January 2018 and by the same amount in January 2019.

Unite the union which represents a number of the workers, is due to have another meeting with the Forestry Commission surveyors on Friday, 08 December, to put forward the case for 'a sensible and compassionate approach' to rent rises.

Unite regional officer Richard White said: "Unfortunately, we have not been able, so far, to change the commission’s mind and these draconian rent rises are set to go ahead in the new year.

"These workers – some of whom are retired - are on modest incomes and won't be able to afford these increases, so will be forced to give up their homes and seek accommodation elsewhere.

"This is a travesty as these employees, with many years of dedicated service to the preservation of the New Forest, are part of the DNA of these ancient woodlands.

"The commission is under pressure from the government to charge so-called 'market rents', which our members patently can't afford."

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