You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Morning Briefing: Gordon Brown warns of ‘summer of discontent’ over Universal Credit
Former prime minister Gordon Brown is to tell Theresa May that Britain faces a summer of discontent unless the government halts the roll-out of Universal Credit.
In the news
Mr Brown will deliver a speech in Edinburgh today warning of “poll tax-style chaos” unless plans to introduce the new welfare system across the country next year are scrapped, according to The Guardian.
The Labour heavyweight, who was a key architect of tax credits, has also written a piece for the Daily Mirror calling Universal Credit “cruel and vindictive far beyond austerity”.
Meanwhile, Sky News reports on claims that the government “buried” a report casting doubt on the effectiveness of ministers’ welfare reform project.
A Department for Work and Pensions study published last month, without any announcement, found there is “no evidence” that benefit squeezes encouraged low-income claimants to increase their earnings – a central concept of Universal Credit.
In other news, the NHS has pledged to spend up to £50m on long-term smoke inhalation and asbestos screening for survivors and witnesses of the Grenfell Tower fire, per the Evening Standard.
NHS England will also use the money to support people’s physical and mental health in the wake of the disaster.
READ MORE
Yesterday, the same paper reported that the Met has charged 10 people following a fraud investigation into the contractor responsible for fire alarms at Grenfell Tower, Lakehouse.
Elsewhere, The Sun covers Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that Scotland has built more social houses than England in the past five years despite being 10 times smaller.
The Scottish National Party first minister said yesterday that her Scottish Government has managed to deliver 53,000 homes since 2013, which she compared with 50,810 in England.
In the West Midlands, Birmingham Live publishes an investigation revealing that there are currently at least 160 families living in B&Bs for longer than the six-week legal limit.
While finally, The Guardian reports that the UK’s most expensive home in Knightsbridge has been valued at £160m.
On social media
#HousingDay18 has already got off to a start on Twitter:
At 9am, @TerrieAlafatCIH @nicblisscch @Catherine_BHG @londontenants and @tpasLouise will join our managing editor @martinhilditch to discuss ’How do we strengthen the tenant voice?’ #HousingDay18
— Inside Housing (@insidehousing)At 9am, @TerrieAlafatCIH @nicblisscch @Catherine_BHG @londontenants and @tpasLouise will join our managing editor @martinhilditch to discuss 'How do we strengthen the tenant voice?' #HousingDay18
— Inside Housing (@insidehousing) October 10, 2018
Today marks both #WorldHomelessnessDay & #HousingDay18 a day #UKHousing comes together to raise the profile of the positive impact of social housing, tackle stigma & stereotypes & provide a voice to raise awareness about the fundamental right to a good & safe home
— Sharon Connor (@sharonconnor28)Today marks both #WorldHomelessnessDay & #HousingDay18 a day #UKHousing comes together to raise the profile of the positive impact of social housing, tackle stigma & stereotypes & provide a voice to raise awareness about the fundamental right to a good & safe home
— Sharon Connor (@sharonconnor28) October 10, 2018
#HousingDay18 this year marks the 6th year of this important social media campaign to raise the profile of the social housing sector. With a big focus by Government on housing, this is great timing for both landlords & residents to get their messages across #KHG #socialhousing
— Kent Housing Group (@KentHsgGroup)#HousingDay18 this year marks the 6th year of this important social media campaign to raise the profile of the social housing sector. With a big focus by Government on housing, this is great timing for both landlords & residents to get their messages across #KHG #socialhousing
— Kent Housing Group (@KentHsgGroup) October 10, 2018
Very much looking forward to #housingday18 First I am at @NHC Summit where I’ll be talking about some new key research from @smith_institute then an @insidehousing #IHChat whilst keeping tabs on all the other great stuff. Busy 🐝 time
— Barbara Spicer (@BarbaraSpicer15)Very much looking forward to #housingday18 First I am at @NHC Summit where I’ll be talking about some new key research from @smith_institute then an @insidehousing #IHChat whilst keeping tabs on all the other great stuff. Busy \uD83D\uDC1D time
— Barbara Spicer (@BarbaraSpicer15) October 10, 2018
What’s on
- It’s Twitter #HousingDay18, with Inside Housing hosting Q&A sessions with a number of high-profile sector figures throughout the day using the hashtag #IHchat
- The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will continue to hear evidence from survivors of the fire and those left bereaved by it, with appearances from Samuel Daniels and Branislav Lukic
- Today is also World Homelessness Day
