Almost 40% of the annual £25bn housing benefit bill is paid to private landlords, who often get away with charging extortionate rents for poor quality housing. Tenants asking for repairs or furniture have been threatened with eviction or harassed, so it is important to know your rights. Groups that support tenants and also campaign, are: … Read more
Since 2013, the government reduced Housing Benefit (HB) to people in social housing who have one or more “spare” rooms. (Social housing is council, housing association or similar. Councils administering HB make the cut.) The government gives councils extra funds called Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) to help tenants in hardship due to the bedroom tax. … Read more
Discounts, reductions and exemptions from paying Council Tax You can pay less Council Tax, for various reasons. This can include: being the only adult in the property. being a young adult between 18-19 years of age. being a full-time student. being an apprentice. being temporarily away from your home — check with your Council. having … Read more
Bhopal Survivors Action 3 December 2014 To Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh (Bhopal Gas-Affected Women Stationery Workers’ Union) Dear Rashida, Champa and all sisters and brothers in Bhopal, We send our love, condolences and solidarity to you all on this 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster. We … Read more
Yes to free, quality care – we’ve earned it! No to charging, rationing, profiteering and neglect. Maria Nash, Barnet 2013 Justice for Jennyfer Spencer, Camden 2010 Camden pensioners vs cuts to day centres Living longer is a blessing, not a “problem”. If more people need care, why are fewer … Read more
Reclaim the Night At Reclaim the Night rally, November 2014 Brighton Feminist Collective Thank you to everyone that came out and Reclaimed the Night with us on Saturday! Around 450 people marched with us to demand safer streets! Our rally had an incredible line-up of speakers and performers that we’re so proud to have … Read more
Disabled people are not worthless Lord Freud’s willingness to consider paying people with disabilities £2 an hour, the closure of the Remploy factories and the demeaning treatment disabled people receive from Atos are starvation policies. The Nazis called us “useless eaters”, expressing similar contempt. This devaluing of human life is widespread. Mothers are called “workless” … Read more
NEWS REPORT FROM OCTOBER 2014: Disabled human rights campaigner Manjeet Kaur has won her case against the Home Office’s attempt to evict her onto the streets. A judge has ruled that Manjeet, who is Chair of RAPAR, can stay in her home in Whalley Range until her asylum case has finally been completed. The judge … Read more
My experience of the psychiatric system – an immigrant mother speaks out ”The reason why I can’t stand up, is because I don’t feel well enough. I’ve been in a mental hospital for the past seven to eight months and I just came out two weeks ago. I just wanted to say something about … Read more