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25/04/2012
Boris Johnson Vows To Block 'Social Cleansing'
Following criticism of Newham County Council’s attempt to relocate housing benefit tenants out of its area, London mayor, Boris Johnson has said he will not have "Kosovo-style social cleansing" of the poor in the capital.
Johnson, who is seeking re-election in May, spoke out after revelations that a number of councils are being forced to look to areas including Stoke, Derby and Nottingham to provide accommodation for claimants in their backyard.
Pressed on the issue on a mayoral debate hosted by ITV on Tuesday night, Johnson indicated he would intervene as he laid out his opposition to anyone being moved who has connections in their local area either through work or their children's schooling, while backing housing benefit reforms in principle.
"We are going to make sure that people who need to stay near their place of work, whose kids are in the local school, … let me tell you directly is that the idea of persuading Londoners or helping Londoners to migrate the city is wrong."
As part of its welfare reforms, the government has introduced caps on housing benefit of £250 a week for a one-bedroom flat and £400 for a four-bedroom property. With the government housing benefit cuts starting in January, many councils are wrestling with rising numbers of people finding they cannot afford to live in central London.
Johnson added: "The government has got it wrong. Up until Mrs Thatcher there was a cap on rents. To cap the benefits and to allow landlords to keep jacking up the rent is wrong. That's why we will bring in a mayoral letting agency because as well as high rents about 11% of what you pay in rent is going to the agent ... and that's a real rip-off and we will be able to cut that perhaps 2-3% but the key thing is that rents are going up because we have not got enough homes.”
(H)
Johnson, who is seeking re-election in May, spoke out after revelations that a number of councils are being forced to look to areas including Stoke, Derby and Nottingham to provide accommodation for claimants in their backyard.
Pressed on the issue on a mayoral debate hosted by ITV on Tuesday night, Johnson indicated he would intervene as he laid out his opposition to anyone being moved who has connections in their local area either through work or their children's schooling, while backing housing benefit reforms in principle.
"We are going to make sure that people who need to stay near their place of work, whose kids are in the local school, … let me tell you directly is that the idea of persuading Londoners or helping Londoners to migrate the city is wrong."
As part of its welfare reforms, the government has introduced caps on housing benefit of £250 a week for a one-bedroom flat and £400 for a four-bedroom property. With the government housing benefit cuts starting in January, many councils are wrestling with rising numbers of people finding they cannot afford to live in central London.
Johnson added: "The government has got it wrong. Up until Mrs Thatcher there was a cap on rents. To cap the benefits and to allow landlords to keep jacking up the rent is wrong. That's why we will bring in a mayoral letting agency because as well as high rents about 11% of what you pay in rent is going to the agent ... and that's a real rip-off and we will be able to cut that perhaps 2-3% but the key thing is that rents are going up because we have not got enough homes.”
(H)
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22 October 2012
Escalation In Working Families Relying On Housing Benefit
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Since the recession began in 2008 the number of working households relying on housing benefit has doubled, according to a new report.
02 February 2005
Government announces incapacity benefit changes
The government has launched a series of changes to incapacity benefits, in order to help get more people back into employment.
Government announces incapacity benefit changes
The government has launched a series of changes to incapacity benefits, in order to help get more people back into employment.
29 October 2010
Nobody To Be Made Homeless, Says Cameron
Speaking about controversial cuts to housing benefit, the Prime Minister has said nobody should be made homeless. However David Cameron did not respond to London Mayor Boris Johnson's comment insinuating "Kosovo-style social cleansing".
Nobody To Be Made Homeless, Says Cameron
Speaking about controversial cuts to housing benefit, the Prime Minister has said nobody should be made homeless. However David Cameron did not respond to London Mayor Boris Johnson's comment insinuating "Kosovo-style social cleansing".
30 October 2006
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
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