Council must seek share of money to keep down rents

7.21.11pm GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

The Government is to provide up to £175 million to local authorities in England to allow them to halve planned rent rises for council tenants this year, Rent rises of an average 6.2% - about £4 a week on the typical council home - were set in September last year, when inflation was about 5%.

With inflation falling and many tenants experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the economic downturn, councils have been lobbying ministers to provide the funds to allow them to reduce the proposed increases.

Councils can now request additional funds to cut rises to a new guideline of 3.1% - an average of about £2 a week.

"We will be seeking assurances the the Conservative Administration, which has a poor record when looking after the interests of Council Tenants in South Cambridgeshire, immediately applies for a share of this funding. And that it is all passed on to tenants," said Lib Dem Leader on South Cambridgeshire District Council, Sebastian Kindersley.

"I have spoken with many members of our group over the weekend and we are all sharing the same experience. Residents are experiencing increasing difficulties and the Council must be doing everything it can to help wherever it can."