Gordon Campaigns to Save Decent Homes Programme
Gordon joined campaigners and activists on Mereside last Friday as they petitioned local people in support of the Decent Homes Programme. The Tory led Government is threatening to scrap major funding for the scheme which has already renovated hundreds of homes across Blackpool.
The Decent Homes programme was set up under the last Labour Government in order to bring Blackpool’s social housing up to a decent standard and currently supports approximately 200 employees in the town. The programme was set up to renovate windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems that are currently in very poor condition in houses across Blackpool.
Gordon commented, “It was a good opportunity to meet with people on an issue that will have such a dramatic impact on their lives. Many people on Mereside are still waiting to have renovations complete or even started in their social housing and I intend to lobby for the funding to remain in order for those improvements to take place. I discussed this with a variety of people at the Street Stall who informed me of how it will affect them individually. This work is needed to be done and this Government must realise that this funding needs to remain in place to complete the work and uphold the jobs that are doing necessary and worthwhile work for residents in Blackpool.”
“Everyone should have the right to a decent home. If ministers fail to give a clear commitment to finish Labour’s big refurbishment programme, tenants in Blackpool will be left in limbo. We will then see widespread unfairness of two-tiered council estates in our communities.”
