Localism Bill and benefit cuts threatens our way of life

As more details emerge about the Localism Bill it is becoming clear that it has two key areas of change which will affect hundreds of thousands of people -

Planning and Housing

Sold by the Government as a means of bringing more power to local communities it will in fact result in the homelessness of council tenants who may lose their homes, or, find themselves trapped in one area due to the new rules which could result in council to only house "local" people.

Whilst some potential issues are evident from the Summary version provided by the Government a reading of the detailed Bill is required to fully understand the implications. It is here that I discovered that the Governments promise to protect existing Council tenants has not been stuck to. If tenants have a change of circumstances i.e a relative dies, or a young person leaves home, their tenancy will come under review. All council tenants now face a future of uncertainty.

At the same time benefit cuts are leaving up to 670,000 housing association tenants worse off, particularly the disabled. 

The changes to existing Planning regulations have caused such concern that even the National Trust has come forward with a petition against the proposals.

Key planning changes would significantly reduce the funds developers pay to councils as a levy to support local communities affected by their development.

Development will be assumed as having a "yes" outcome in planning rather than an existing emphasis on fair hearing and rejection on planning grounds.


The Government is planning to ask councils to identify public land to sell off - an asset lost forever, so developers can build - and they won't even have to pay for the land until their development is completed in some cases.

Why not build more council homes when councils are proven to be the best landlords for social housing?

Labour MPs and shadow ministers have opposed the Localism Bill. 

Whilst the Tories continue to be backed by their Coalition partners it is likely to steam ahead.

I plan to complete my assessment of the detail of the Bill and I will hold some public meetings to give people a chance to raise questions.