Homeless Protesters Storm Council Building In Chester

Two dozen homeless protesters have stormed a council-owned building in Chester, north-west England, and barricaded themselves inside. The 20-strong group of rough sleepers, accompanied by a dog, took over the upper floors of Hamilton House in the city centre on Monday night, claiming squatters’ rights and reportedly changing the locks once inside. This comes as official figures revealed that a record number of homeless people died last year. The highest number of deaths were in London and the north-west, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), as charities and MPs warned that cuts are fuelling the homelessness crisis. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/02/homeless-protesters-storm-council-building-in-chester

Builders Criticised For Lobbying Against Accessible Homes

Private housebuilders have been accused of “appalling self-interest” over their lobbying against building more accessible homes for disabled residents. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has been objecting to councils across England that wish to fix new targets to increase the number of homes with room for wheelchair users and which could be adaptable. It has made submissions to at least 17 authorities, from Liverpool to Sevenoaks, arguing that new local planning policies seeking more accessible housing could make it unprofitable to build new homes. The submissions also question whether predictions of an ageing population mean an increased demand for adaptable and accessible housing would be certain. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/28/builders-criticised-for-lobbying-against-accessible-homes

Battle to Save Green Belt Is Lost

Campaigners have been told to stop protesting about homes being built on green-belt land – because the Government has rubber-stamped the developments. In total, 30,550 new homes have been given the go-ahead in Nottingham city and Gedling and Broxtowe boroughs. A report by the Planning Inspectorate ruled that the plans were "sound". This means the diggers can move in as soon as the councils for each area sign off the plans. Broxtowe Borough Council leader Councillor Milan Radulovic now wants people to stop protesting. Read more on the Nottingham Post website.

Bedroom Tax Protestors Target Lord Freud's House

Around 200 UK Uncut and Occupy London activists held a bedroom tax protest outside the London home of welfare reform minister Lord Freud. The demonstrators gathered at Kings Cross station before descending on the Highgate residence of the architect of the Welfare Reform Bill, and proceeded to throw an eviction-themed "Who Wants To Evict A Millionaire?" street party.

Read more on 24dash.

Campaigners Plan Next Wave Of Bedroom Tax Unrest

Labour Left has announced details of a further 27 protests against the bedroom tax on 30 March.  The left-wing think tank, which co-ordinated around 50 protests on 16 March, is planning further action ahead of the introduction of the under-occupation penalty for social housing tenants of working age on 1 April. Read more on Inside Housing.

Housing Benefit Change Protests Held

Protests have been staged in a series of cities against government plans to cut housing benefit for those considered to have too much space.  Protests against the plan - labelled the "bedroom tax" by Labour - have been held in at least 10 towns and cities, including Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Protesters turned out for Saturday's demonstrations in cities including Birmingham, Hull, Manchester, Durham, Exeter, Leicester, Brighton, Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.  The protests were organised nationally by think tank Labour Left.  Read more on the Labour Left website.