Appalling' Decision To Push Through Crucial Housing Law At 3am

The Tories have been slammed for an "appalling" decision to push through key stages of a housing law at 3am. Labour blasted ministers for rushing through a six-hour debate on the Housing Bill - which includes plans to end lifelong tenancies for council homes. The divisive law also launches 'affordable' homes costing £450,000 in London and paves the way for privatised planning applications. Yet key clauses will only be debated after midnight because the government refused to move the debate. Tory ministers also wrote 65 pages of new clauses and amendments "at the last minute", said furious shadow communities minister Roberta Blackman-Woods. Read more on the Daily Mirror website.

Labour Names New Shadow Housing Minister

Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods is the new Labour shadow housing minister, the party has announced. The Durham MP, who comes from Northern Ireland, has been in Parliament since 2005 after being selected as candidate on an all-women list. She is a sociologist with an interest in housing, and her CV includes being welfare rights officer at Newcastle City Council, a job she had before she became a university lecturer. Her last role in Parliament was as shadow planning minister. Ms Blackman-Woods will now be responsible for both housing and planning. Labour previously split these two positions up. Read more on the propertyindustryeye website.