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This email broadcast was sent on 18/05/12

	Stop privatisation; improve existing and build a new generation of first class council housing
Benefits Protest at Freud 23 May

Join the Housing Emergency protest: Cut Rents not Benefits - No evictions due to benefit cuts Protest 23 May from 9.15am outside Commonwealth Club, 25 Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5AP, where Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud is defending attacks on benefits. 23rd leaflet here Bring placards, posters ('Lord Freud wants to evict me' etc) and cardboard boxes - to build a cardboard city for evicted tenants.
Link here for Housing Emergency 4-page Briefing and Sign the Housing Emergency statement here Frank Chance RIP Frank Chance of Birmingham DCH died earlier this month, and his funeral service will be on Mon 21 May 1pm at Yardley Crematorium B25 8NA. Frank was chair of Birmingham DCH when tenants and trade unions defeated privatisation of the City's council housing in April 2002.
Tenants and trade unions are planning a meeting to continue the campaign in Birmingham, as our best tribute to Frank. To send condolences or to help organise the Birmingham meeting contact info@defendcouncilhousing.org.uk. Tenants and housing campaigners protested against Tory welfare reform minister Lord Freud at a conference hosted by the National Housing Federation (NHF) in Central London on Wednesday.
Protesters chanted No ifs, no buts, no housing benefit cuts, and Cut rents, not benefits. They called on the government to address the housing crisis with a huge new build programme of first class council housing. Inside the meeting, one speaker highlighted the case of a 56-year-old woman, currently surviving on £71 a week, who faces a £15 cut in council tax support, and a further £11 cut as a result of the Tories bedroom tax. How could this woman survive on £45 a week, with £20 of fuel payments, the minister was asked?
Delegates were openly hostile; one shouted, Cut the crap and own up. NHF chief executive David Orr told Freud, Some people here would have some sympathy with the people waving leaflets outside. Eileen Short, chair of Defend Council Housing, who co-ordinated the protest, said, These vicious attacks on tenants do not create one extra home. Instead of cutting housing benefit, we need a massive programme of investment in existing and new council housing, including converting empty homes.

Further information from www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk
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