Above: Frank and Glenda speak in the Housing Benefit Debate in the House of Commons on 9th November.

Tory and Lib Dem politicians are using the recession as an excuse to push through changes to affordable housing which could have serious consequences for local families on modest incomes – and future generations.

Plans to cap housing benefit in April will leave 2,000 families in Camden up to £50 per week worse off and 500 families up to £100 per week worse off. Hundreds of families in Camden could be forced to leave their homes to move to outer London, leaving their friends and neighbours behind.  Worse still, the chances of local people getting affordable housing in the borough will be even tougher than it is now.

The Government has also proposed limiting council tenancy agreements to two years, which would leave thousands of council tenants in Camden out in the cold and could result in them being forced out of their homes if their financial circumstances improve. This would provide a massive disincentive to work or to earn more money and would break-up communities.

Local Labour MP Frank Dobson said:  “These Tory / Lib Dem policies will drive thousands of ordinary people out of their homes.  Parents of families forced to relocate will have to find new school places for their children and they will spend longer travelling to and from work.  These disruptive policies will lead to the breakdown of communities.”