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Morning Briefing: Grenfell residents’ human rights breached, says watchdog
Kensington and Chelsea Council and the government breached the human rights of Grenfell Tower residents in the lead-up to the June 2017 disaster, the government’s own equalities watchdog has said
In the news
The Guardian says the “hard-hitting” report concludes that Grenfell residents’ rights to life and adequate housing were contravened by the building’s deadly cladding and the fact that many elderly and disabled people were housed so high up.
It follows a 15-month investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Chancellor Philip Hammond will deliver his Spring Statement this afternoon, while the ramifications of last night’s Brexit vote still settle over parliament.
Mr Hammond himself has described the statement as a “non-event” and it’s not certain whether there will be any new housing announcements, but the BBC, Sky News and The Guardian have all produced helpful previews.
Meanwhile, the BBC runs a story on a shocking report from the Children’s Rights Alliance for England which claims thousands of teenagers in council care are living in B&Bs, flats, tents and caravans without an adult.
While many have been enjoying the Cheltenham Festival this week, a nearby council has admitted that a deluge of racegoers means homeless households in hotel temporary accommodation are being forced out, according to the BBC.
Elsewhere, the Evening Standard reports on the big plans for housebuilding unveiled by London councils this week at the giant MIPIM property conference in Cannes.
According to the Bucks Free Press, a group of four councils have made a U-turn on plans to increase to 21 the maximum age same-sex siblings in social housing should be expected to share a room following a consultation.
From Sheffield, local paper The Star reports that MP Paul Blomfield has called for government to take action over a tower block which remains wrapped in dangerous cladding.
In Hull, the council has won a High Court case against the Humber Landlords Association over its tough enforcement policies for private rented housing, Letting Agent Today reports.
Major house builder Persimmon has admitted it lobbied the government to scrap its zero carbon homes policy in 2015 before the scheme was axed, according to trade magazine Business Green.
Jewish News reports that a group of 120 rabbis have come together to campaign against housing discrimination.
City of Edinburgh Council is set to agree a “new approach” to temporary accommodation which, it hopes, will end its use of B&Bs, per the Edinburgh Evening News.
Also in Scotland, the Scottish Association for Mental Health has called for a halt to Universal Credit in a report claiming that it causes hardship among people with mental health problems, according to the Daily Record.
Elsewhere, the left-wing Red Pepper magazine runs an article this morning looking at how the regeneration of the Heygate Estate in south London affected the local wildlife.
Finally, a man in a Norfolk village is in a row with his housing association, Victory Housing Trust, over his determination to feed birds in his back garden, according to the BBC.
On social media
Helen White, chair of the Regulatory Board for Wales, makes an observation about social media coverage of MIPIM so far:
Challenge for the day for #MIPIM2019 delegates.... please post a picture which is NOT predominantly men that isn’t a morning #yoga session ... I know some fantastic female colleagues out there but the pics seem hugely ‘blokey’ #diversity
— Helen White (@ArthursMam)Challenge for the day for #MIPIM2019 delegates.... please post a picture which is NOT predominantly men that isn’t a morning #yoga session ... I know some fantastic female colleagues out there but the pics seem hugely ‘blokey’ #diversity
— Helen White (@ArthursMam) March 13, 2019
While political journalist and ex-Inside Housing reporter Isabel Hardman reportedly reckons there could be a housing announcement in the Spring Statement today:
@IsabelHardman thinks there might be a housing announcement in today’s Spring Statement by @PhilipHammondUK fingers crossed it’s money for #UKHousing @walsallwhg to build and regenerate more social homes #InfluencingAcademy @natfeddave @natfednews pic.twitter.com/Wb3xZTUqj1
— ScottConroywhg (@conroywhg)@IsabelHardman thinks there might be a housing announcement in today’s Spring Statement by @PhilipHammondUK fingers crossed it’s money for #UKHousing @walsallwhg to build and regenerate more social homes #InfluencingAcademy @natfeddave @natfednews pic.twitter.com/Wb3xZTUqj1
— ScottConroywhg (@conroywhg) March 13, 2019
What’s on
- Prime Minister’s Questions will take place in the House of Commons at 12pm
- The chancellor will then deliver his Spring Statement
- MPs will then debate a Ten Minute Rule Motion from Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle titled Tenancy (Deposits and Arbitration)
- Outside of Westminster, the MIPIM property conference continues in Cannes, while Scotland’s Housing Festival heads into its second day
