Landlord Apologises For ‘Patronising’ Welfare Advice

A Manchester housing association has apologised after causing outrage by suggesting tenants should cut down on ‘sky, cigarettes, bingo, drinks and other non-essentials’ to cope with benefit cuts. Eastlands Homes said it was sorry if the article in its newsletter for tenants had caused offence. ‘We know there will be stark choices – our message is that we are here to help wherever possible and we’re sorry if we worded that clumsily,’ it said in a statement. The original newsletter read: ‘Can you really afford Sky, cigarettes, bingo, drinks and other non essentials? If your benefit is being cut and you want to keep your home you have to make up the difference. Non-essential items won’t matter if you lose your home. Start budgeting now – we can help you do this, call us!’  Read Eastlands’ apology on its website.