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Morning Briefing: 700,000 more in poverty
Almost three-quarters of a million children and pensioners have been plunged into poverty over the past four years, according to new research
In the news
The BBC and other outlets are leading with a major report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which says that since 2013 an extra 300,000 pensioners and 400,000 children have moved below the poverty line.
The foundation cited rising housing costs alongside various other factors pushing poorer households to the limit.
The timing of the report makes it especially troubling for the government, after the entire Social Mobility Commission team resigned at the weekend over what they said was a failure by the prime minister to deliver a “fairer Britain”.
Elsewhere, The Times is reporting that many survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire disagree with the decision to cover the remains of the tower in a screen.
The local political fallout of the fire is still unfolding, with LBC reporting that due to deselections and resignations, nearly half of the Tory councillors in Kensington and Chelsea will not be standing again in May. This list includes former leader Nicholas Paget-Brown and his deputy, Rock Feilding-Mellen.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s Observer had a piece by Rowan Moore singing the praises of Sadiq Khan’s new London Plan. Mr Moore agreed with the mayor that the suburbs ought to be more involved in tackling the housing crisis.
The same paper also included the surprising news that Tony Blair has backed one of the radical housing pledges from this year’s Labour manifesto. Mr Blair said the land value tax should replace council tax and business rates.
Jeremy Corbyn did not receive universal support from the housing world over the weekend, however.
On social media
How Singapore deals with housing shortage - the state builds & builds .... it’s not rocket science! pic.twitter.com/opLakQ7lLg
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis)How Singapore deals with housing shortage - the state builds & builds .... it’s not rocket science! pic.twitter.com/opLakQ7lLg
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) December 4, 2017
What’s on
This afternoon, Sajid Javid will face oral questions in the House of Commons, and the Communities and Local Government Select Committee will hear evidence on the housing of older people.
