Local Government Service Group Conference
15-16 June 2008
Call for decent housing for all
UNISON's local government conference has pledged to
continue to defend council housing, and to carry on fighting for
decent housing for all.
Delegates welcomed the government's commitment to
building new houses, but determined to make sure they were council-owned
- because "housing belongs in local authorities."
With house prices in freefall and the credit crunch
making it harder than ever for people to buy their own homes, rents
spiralling ever upwards and growing waiting lists for council housing,
"now is the time to build," conference said.
And not only houses, they stressed. The union must
also build a comprehensive housing campaign. Among other things,
it should lobby for:
- the widest possible measures that enable councils to build new
homes to meet local housing needs;
- the right of ALMOs to return to local authorities;
- a level playing field between different providers in the housing
sector;
- a well trained and well paid workforce, with fair pay and conditions
throughout the sector.
Duncan Smith, City of Edinburgh Branch gave a Scottish
slant to the debate when he told conference that "Firm Foundations,"
the Scottish Government's commitment to increase social housing,
opens the door to start building council housing again in Scotland.
"We have progressive legislation on homelessness
in Scotland, but without a massive house building programme it means
little. The private sector will not do it for us," warned Duncan.
He reminded conference of his branch's campaign along
with Defend Council Housing and with the help of the General Political
Fund, to block attempts to privatise council housing stock.
"But we still need to campaign for a huge increase
in the building of new council houses. "Decent housing is essential
for a good quality of life. It's as important as having a good job,
and crucial for good health too. We need to fight for it!"
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