More smoke and mirrors

Important news from the Campaign to Defend Council Housing it seems that the much vaunted self financing of Council housing is another sham, with national government continuing to take hundreds of millions from Council tenants whilst weakening their security of tenure. Here's what they say:

Rent and Right to Buy policies threat to tenants

New right to buy discounts will not lead to one for one replacement of council homes sold. Only extra sales above current predictions will be replaced. This ensures Government continue to get their 'cut': a further £498 million by 2015 robbed from council housing. And new homes will be at up to 80% market rents, with fixed-term tenancies - not the secure, genuinely affordable and accountable homes desperately needed by the nearly 5 million people on council waiting lists.High council rent increases this year will be followed by further big rises over the next three years, if current targets are imposed. These would mean 36% rent rises over five years, well above the 22% inflation predicted. With a new round of privatisation also threatened, tenants, with trade unions and councillors, are stepping up campaigning against these attacks, and for investment in council housing.Tenants will join trade unions, MPs and councillors to protest at the Housing Minister's HQ in London from 8am on 28 March to demand investment in council housing with really-affordable rents and secure tenancies.