Rent decision

March 2009

As a council we want to ensure that our approach to housing supports people into jobs and results in truly mixed neighbourhoods.

The recession package, which we launched recently to lessen the financial hardship you face, is also aimed at helping you to stay in your homes.

We already have the lowest Council Tax in Outer London and this year there will be no increase at all. Now there is even more good news with the Government's decision to cut the recommended rent increase for council tenants.

I was deeply concerned by the possibility that rent might have to increase to a point where it would deeply and unfairly burden our hard working families.

After much lobbying by us, supported by other local authorities, I was delighted by the Government's decision to halve the recommended level of rent increase.

We have many council tenants and I applaud the Government for the way it has listened to our concerns and that Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has taken such exceptional action to help tenants this year.

When times are hard, people look to us and their government to give them a helping hand. I encourage you therefore to find out about every type of benefit you are eligible for and to take The recession package, which we them up if you are entitled to them.

When times are hard, people look to us and their government to give them a helping hand. I encourage you therefore to find out about every type of benefit you are eligible for and to take them up if you are entitled to them."