This press release was issued on 22/02/12

Stop privatisation; improve existing and build a new generation of first class council housing
Press Statement for release on 22 Feb 2012
Housing Emergency launch condemns 'social cleansing' of tenants
Film director Ken Loach last night attacked the 'social cleansing' which will result from Government housing policies.
At a packed 130+ Housing Emergency meeting Ken Loach condemned benefit and rent policies which mean:
Social cleansing will go on apace. That is something that should fill us with absolute horror.
Owen Jones author Chavs pointed out that Government cuts will increase rents and housing benefit costs; instead they must reinvest the money wasted on Housing Benefit into council housing. The meeting 21st Feb at House of Commons, launched a new alliance to oppose evictions, challenge attacks on tenants and demand new council and other house building for rent.
Other speakers included Shelter, Crisis and Stephen Battersby ex-President Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Islington Council leader Councillor Catherine West, Austin Mitchell MP, Gail Cartmail assistant General Secretary Unite and Eileen Short chair of Defend Council Housing.
Further meetings including: 25 Feb Leeds, 27 Feb Colchester, 5 March Richmond & Kingston, 16 March 7pm Cambridge,29 March Harlow, 14 April Tower Hamlets, with others planned in Bolsover, Southampton, York and Newcastle. London Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone, Ken Loach and trade union General Secretaries are joining tenants organisations to support a Housing Emergency open statement
Housing Emergency is an alliance of tenant, trade union, political and campaign organisations, initiated by Defend Council Housing and the House of Commons Council Housing Group of MPs.
Further information from www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk
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