In light of the deeply troubling revelations in last night’s BBC Panorama investigation, as well as government inaction to tackle the city-wide crisis in exempt accommodation provision, Birmingham Conservatives have written to the Prime Minister to demand that immediate action be taken to protect communities in Birmingham.
Leader of the Conservative Group, Robert Alden (Con, Erdington), and Councillor Ken Wood (Con, Sutton Walmley and Minworth), Conservative Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, have outlined seven urgent demands to help tackle the current crisis of badly run exempt accommodation, which we urge the Prime Minister to enact.
Councillor Robert Alden said:
“The Government must bring in the agreed elements of the Act without any further delay. Licensing, fit and proper person tests, national standards, and the link between Housing Benefit and licensing, and vitally bring exempt accommodation into the planning system so it can be controlled, are all needed urgently.
The Prime Minister talks about devolution and giving local leaders the tools they need. Birmingham is asking for exactly that. Councils cannot be made responsible for the consequences of this crisis while being denied the powers needed to stop it.
We have written to successive housing ministers about this crisis. The response has not been good enough or fast enough. That is why we are now escalating this directly to the Prime Minister.”
Councillor Ken Wood added: “This is not about stopping well run supported housing. It is about stopping poor provision, stopping abuse of public money destruction of communities, ensuring units are appropriately located, and protecting vulnerable people and local neighbourhoods.
Birmingham should not have to wait years for the Government to decide whether more powers are needed. The evidence is already here. Residents have lived with it for too long. Councillors have warned about it. Panorama has exposed it. The Prime Minister needs to act. Now.”
