Labour
Leader Jeremy Corbyn and Shadow Secretary of State for Housing John Healey will
today (Monday 5 June 2017) launch ‘Labour’s New Deal on Housing’ – the party’s
long-term plan to fix the housing crisis. They will promise to give priority to
those let down most by failings in the housing market and in Conservative
housing policy.  

Setting
out more detail on the Party’s plans to deal with the country’s housing crisis
and build at least a million new homes, the published plan will include: 

·        
A New Deal for first-time
buyers on ordinary incomes, including 100,000 new discounted FirstBuy Homes, a
two year stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers, and an extension and
re-focusing of Help to Buy so that it is only for first-time buyers;

·        
A New Deal for those 1.2
million on council waiting lists with a huge increase in affordable
housebuilding to be building 100,000 genuinely affordable homes a year by 2022,
including the biggest council housing programme in over 30 years;

·        
A New Deal for private
renters with a consumer rights revolution including three-year tenancies
with an inflation cap on rent rises and new minimum property standards.

 Labour
will also criticise Conservative Minsters for “seven years of failure” on
housing, and highlight that since 2010 we have seen:

·        
Housebuilding at the lowest
level under any political party in peacetime since the 1920s;

·        
The lowest level of new
affordable housebuilding in 24 years;

·        
Almost 200,000 fewer
home-owners, with 900,000 fewer under 45s owning their own home;

·        
Rents rising faster than
incomes for many;

·        
More families forced into
temporary accommodation, with 120,000 children spending last Christmas without
a home of their own; and

·        
Rough sleeping homelessness
more than doubled.

 Jeremy
Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

 “A
Labour government will start on fixing the housing crisis immediately. High
prices, excessive rents and the chronic lack of affordable housing are ruining
the lives of young people, families and aspiring homeowners.

“As
part of our massive housebuilding commitment, Labour will ensure 100,000
FirstBuy Homes are available at discounted rates to local first time buyers.
This will transform the housing market and put the needs of younger house
buyers and local workers first.

“Labour
will usher in a new era in council housebuilding to build more council homes
than at any time for over 30 years so that the broken market is fixed to
provide homes for the many, not investment opportunities for a wealthy few.”

 John
Healey, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, said:

“After
seven years of failure, the Conservatives have no plan to fix the housing
crisis and Theresa May only offers more of the same. Labour offers a New Deal
on housing between the people of this country and a new government. It is a
bold, long-term plan for housing to help those being let down most by a broken
housing market and failing Conservative policy – young first-time buyers,
private renters and people needing new social rented homes.

“Our
first Labour housing priority will be help for young first-time buyers. Under
the last Labour government, a million more families became home-owners but now
the Tories are failing first-time buyers on middle incomes. Under the
Conservatives since 2010 homeownership has fallen by 200,000 with younger
families on ordinary incomes the hardest hit.

 “Labour’s
new FirstBuy Homes will give aspiring first-time buyers on ordinary wages
who’ve been failed for the last seven years hope that things can change.

 “After
seven years of failure, a Labour government will shift the housing market
decisively towards first-time buyers on ordinary incomes.”

 Ends

 Notes to
editors

·         ‘Labour’s New Deal on housing’
will be launched today (Monday) by Jeremy Corbyn and John Healey.

·         
More than two-thirds of people
now believe there’s a housing crisis, and Labour has a strong lead as the best
Party to handle the housing crisis: [https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/mdbxkz6bif/YG%20Trackers%20-%20Best%20Party%20On%20Issues.pdf]

5 June 2017

The Green Party has called for a shift in the political climate in a series of speeches across England on World Environment Day (June 5) [1].

Prominent Green politicians took part in coordinated speeches in Bath, Bristol, Isle of Wight, London and Sheffield [2]. Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, spoke in London at 10am.

Speaking ahead of the event, Bartley said:

“Theresa May’s staggeringly weak response to Trump’s climate sabotage shows how weak her Government is when it comes to environmental protection. She is standing idly by while the US president swings a wrecking ball at the Paris agreement.

“Britain could be leading the world in climate technology, creating thousands of new jobs and building an economy for the future. By voting Green on 8th June you will send the clear message to whoever is in Government that climate-wrecking policies are utterly short-sighted.

“In 2015 UKIP gained one MP but with 13% of the vote they changed the political narrative. UKIP said “jump” and the Conservatives said “how high?”. We can do the same at this election with a Green vote – a vote for a positive, inclusive, open, confident, and caring Britain. A Britain that is a true democracy with a parliament representative of the people.”

Notes:

1. http://worldenvironmentday.global/
2. Times and locations of speeches:

Eleanor Field in Bath

Time: 8.30am

Location: Roman Baths, Stall Street, Bath BA1 1LZ

Molly Scott Cato and Jean Lambert in Bristol

Time: 9am

Location: Brandon Hill, Park Street, BS1 5RR

Vix Lowthion in Isle of Wight

Time: 9.30am

Location: 115 St James Street, Newport, PO30 5HB

Jonathan Bartley in London

Time: 10am

Location: Corner of Natal Road and Streatham High Road, SW16 6JA

Natalie Bennett in Sheffield

Time: 11.30am

Location: Surrey Street entrance, Sheffield Winter Garden, S1 2L

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5 Jun 2017

A senior SNP Minister overruled civil servants who didn’t want to make a press statement on spending for crofters because it breached purdah rules, new emails have revealed.

The fresh revelations comes after the Scottish Conservatives revealed last week that officials had admitted making “the wrong call” in unveiling a £8 million spending deal for Glasgow just before the local government elections.

The Scottish Conservatives have today said the growing scandal has shown that the SNP Government is “mired in sleaze”.

On April 25th, Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing announced he would be spending £1 million on housing for crofters.

Emails published today show that civil servants advised him not to make the announcement because of the election period – but Mr Ewing ignored them and insisted it go ahead.   Mr Ewing claimed the spending announcement was legitimate because it did not involve councils.

However, the guidance clearly states that Ministers should avoid spending announcements that could influence or could be seen to influence voters, particularly in local areas.

Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Ross Thomson said:

“The evidence is in. It is now clear that Nicola Sturgeon’s government indulged in a systematic breaking of the rules prior to last months’ local government elections.

“This is a growing scandal that requires an urgent investigation.

“Mr Ewing was told by civil servants not to make this announcement but ignored them in an attempt to win a few headlines ahead of the local elections.

“Nicola Sturgeon must end her silence over this affair. After ten years in power, her government is now mired in sleaze.

“On Thursday, voters across Scotland can have their say and make it clear we’ve had enough.”

1. See the full emails here: http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-06-03-Purdah2.pdf

2. The release on the funds for crofters on April 25^th is here https://news.gov.scot/news/croft-house-grants-awarded

3. The guidance on announcements during an election period can be seen here: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/scottish-local-government-election-guidance-2017/

4. The details of the email exchanges between civil servants and the Minister are here:

18 April 2017 10:05

From REDACTED in Crofting Policy to Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity (Fergus Ewing)

‘I have purposefully not included the total budget for 2017/18, of £2m. This may raise unwanted questions such as why we approved half the budget in the first year

19 April 2017 08:39

From REDACTED in Local Government and Analytical Services Division to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

RE: Croft house Grant – News Release   ‘I take it the Local Government Election period does not create any difficulties with this announcement?’

19 April 2017 09:05

From REDACTED to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

‘I agree with [Redacted] that we should double check this can be announced given restrictions around LG elections’

19 April 2017 11:41

From REDACTED to Minister for Transport and the Islands cc REDACTED

‘Dear all, I have checked the guidance and discussed with comms colleagues and would advise against this being announced during the restricted period for the local government elections.

The funding is particularly relevant to a couple of council areas and could therefore be argued to potentially have a bearing on the local election campaign, particularly with crofting issues having been very topical recently.

‘I’d suggest we don’t issue the press release and there is no croft visit by Yousaf’

Fergus Ewing overruled them:

20 April 2017 12:46

From REDACTED on behalf of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity To Minister for Transport and the Islands Cc Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity

‘All,   Mr Ewing has commented that a news release should still go ahead as it has nothing to do with the local government.   Aware Mr Yousaf is already on Uist but would it be possible for a news release next week? If not please can you provide more details as to why this shouldn’t go out and I will update Mr Ewing.’

21 April 2017 13:31 From REDACTED To REDACTED Cabinet Secretariat inbox

‘Mr Ewing is keen for a Scottish Government announcement of funding for the Croft House Grant Scheme to be announced next week.

This would be to confirm that £948,000 has been awarded to help crofters in some of Scotland’s most rural and remote communities benefit from better housing.

With 29 crofters sharing the funding which enables them to build or improve homes, helping to retain and attract people to rural communities.

Given the prominence and recent coverage around crofting and the fact that this is a funding announcement, initial consideration within comms was that it would be best to avoid announcing during the Local government pre-election period.

The Cabinet Secretary has now requested advice on whether the announcement could go ahead. Can I have a view from you?’

Senior Civil Servants fell into line behind Ewing – but broke their own guidance

21 April 2017 14:26

From Head of Media for the Rural Economy & Connectivity To Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity; Minister for Transport and the Islands

‘I have discussed with Cabinet Secretariat and [Redacted] has confirmed [Redacted] is content for a factual release to be issued next week’

A further email followed from the Cabinet Secretariat confirming they were not of the view local election guidance would ‘pose a problem’ because ‘the crofting counties are within a clearly defined geographical area, so I don’t think there will be much surprise from a local authority standpoint.’

This is not what the guidance states. It is in fact the opposite of what the guidance states. The guidance, available here, states that:

‘Particular care should be taken over official support, and the use of public resources, including publicity, for Ministerial or official announcements which could have a bearing on matters relevant to the local elections…national announcements by the Scottish Government may have a particular impact on local areas, for example, the publication of policy statements which have a specific local dimension.

Ministers will wish to be aware of the potential sensitivities in this regard and might decide, on advice, to postpone making certain announcements until after the local elections.’

In a
speech tonight in Carlisle, Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party,
said: 

**check
against delivery**

“After
the horrific events last night in London in which seven people have died and 21
remain in a critical condition, I would like to start by asking everyone to
stand with me for a minute’s silence.

"Tonight we are once again meeting in
the aftermath of a terrorist atrocity, and returning to the election campaign
in shock and anger at the brutality and horror that was perpetrated on the
streets of London last night.

 

"Let me start by repeating what I said this
morning sentiments I know are shared by all of us across our country.

 

"This was an appalling terrorist atrocity
committed by those warped by a depraved inhumanity. We have to stand together,
united and determined in our communities, as the people of Manchester less than
two weeks ago.

 

"We all express our love and solidarity to
the families and friends of those who have died, and of those who have been so
grievously injured, and though we find it difficult to fully imagine their
pain, we feel for them, we are with them, and we grieve for those who have
died.

 

"We pay tribute to the Ambulance Service
and the Fire & Rescue Service, for their bravery and professionalism.

 

"And especially to the Police and British
Transport Police.  They acted quickly and
decisively to save lives, their professionalism was again exemplary.

 

"And also our magnificent NHS staff, who
are still working now to save lives and heal the injured.  

 

"And let us express our admiration too for
those members of the public who put themselves in danger to assist and protect
others even to the extent of confronting the murderous attackers.

 

"As in Manchester last month, their actions
represent not just the best of Britain they represent normal, decent Britain,
the quiet courage and compassion that will always defeat fear and hatred.

 

"Those who wish to harm our people divide
our communities and attack our democracy will not succeed. Our values of
solidarity, humanity and justice will prevail.

 

"The violence and brutality of last night’s
attack, the targeting of innocent people going about their ordinary business is
a depravity familiar from similar attacks in Manchester, across Europe, the
Middle East and beyond.

 

"That is why we are ready to consider
whatever proposals may be brought forward by the police and security services
more effectively to deal with the terrorist threat.

 

"If Labour is elected I will commission a
report from the security services on Friday on the changing nature of the terrorist threat.

 

"Our priority must be public safety and I
will take whatever action is necessary and effective to protect the security of
our people and our country that includes full authority for the police to use
whatever force is necessary to protect and save life as they did last night as
they did in Westminster in March.

 

"You cannot protect the public on the cheap
the police and security services must get the resources they need not 20,000
police cuts.

 

"Theresa May was warned by the Police
Federation but she accused them of “crying wolf.”

 

"As Labour set out in our manifesto we will
recruit another 10,000 new police officers including more armed police who need
to be properly rewarded as well as 1,000 more security services staff to
support our communities and help keep us safe.

 

‘But it is the timing of yesterday’s attack that
we must also address today the aim of the terrorists is plainly to derail our
democracy and disrupt or even halt this election.

 

"The general election is of course about
the democratic choice between the Labour and Conservative parties and our very
different visions and plans for the future of our country.

 

"But it is also now about something even
bigger it is about the struggle between terrorism and democracy itself.

 

"The mass murderers who brought terror to
our streets in London and Manchester want our election to be halted, they want
democracy halted. They want their violence to overwhelm our right to vote in a
fair and peaceful election and to go about our lives freely.

 

"That is why there can be no doubt
that next Thursday’s vote must
go ahead. Neither can we suspend our campaigning, so I am glad to be here in
Carlisle as scheduled and launching our housing policy with John Healey.

 

"Across London today, people have been
carrying on upset and appalled but carrying on to act otherwise would be to
hand the twisted and depraved strategists of ISIS the political victory they
crave.

 

"So it is right that we return to the
choices the British people face on June 8 in the sure and certain knowledge that we have together, whatever
our party views, already made the choice between democracy and terrorism
between freedom and fear.

 

"The choice you face on 8th
June is a Conservative party which has made
clear it will press on with another five years of austerity and cuts to
essential public services to pay for even more tax handouts to the richest and
the big corporations.

 

"Or the Labour Party, which is guaranteeing
95% of taxpayers will pay no extra tax but is asking the best off and the
largest companies to pay a bit more to fund our hospitals, police, schools,
decent pensions and childcare to invest in good jobs and a growing economy for
the many not the few.

 

"I don’t hesitate to make the case for more
tax from those who can afford it.

 

"It is taxation that underpins our
peaceful, tolerant and civilised society the police, security services, fire
and rescue service, our NHS they have all suffered cuts to pay for tax
giveaways for the big corporations and the very richest.

 

"Here in Carlisle you have felt the effects
of austerity and that’s why we will increase funding in flood prevention and
halt the Sustainability and Transformation Programme that threatens to close
hospitals, A&Es and maternity units.

 

"We are the fifth richest country in the
world, it doesn’t have to be like this.

 

"And that is why the Labour Party will end
austerity and lift the public sector pay cap our nurses, firefighters, police,
doctors and paramedics deserve a pay rise. 
They cannot just get warm words for their heroism, they deserve our respect
every day.

 

"If I am elected Prime Minister on 8
June I will be asking the Commissioners of
the Met Police and the British Transport Police for the names of those whose
bravery should be commended, to acknowledge their heroism and of many others in
our emergency services and among the public who intervened

 

‘At this time it is more important than ever
that we stay united in our communities it is the strength of our communities
that gets us through these awful times as London Mayor Sadiq Khan recognised
but which the current occupant in the White House has neither the grace nor the
sense to grasp.

 

"Whether we are Muslim or Christian, black
or white, male or female, gay or straight, we are united by our values, by our
determination for a better world, and that we can build a better society.

 

‘Our democratic values must be maintained we
must resist Islamophobia and division and turnout on 8 June united in our determination to show our
democracy is strong, however you vote.

 

And yes we do need to have some difficult
conversations starting with Saudi Arabia and "other Gulf states that have
funded and fuelled extremist ideology.

 

"It is no good Theresa May suppressing a
report into the foreign funding of extremist groups. We have to get serious
about cutting off the funding to these terror networks, including Isis here and
in the Middle East.

 

"No government can prevent every attack
sometimes the most depraved and determined will get through but the
responsibility of government is to do everything we can to minimise the risk.

 

"Labour has spent this campaign setting out
our detailed plans and costed policies for a fairer and better Britain.

 

"On 8 June, we have a real to chance to invest and to build a
country that reflects the best of us that we saw on the streets of London and
Manchester a country that is truly for the many not the few.”

Ends