Obviously welcomed news for Blyth but use money properly

Again, we hear of a “cash injection” of money into Blyth, a back slapping exercise of acceptance at Northumberland County Councils cabinet to accept the money followed by what will be, as we’ve seen with prior announcements a drip feed of this money.

This is the second lot of money allocated for inadequate housing and poor housing state of properties in Blyth, properties that were on the decent home standards investment plan that were stopped by the Conservatives when they took power in 2017 at the County Council.

6yrs of failing repairs, lack of investment and frankly lack of interest from politicians in the communities and tenants who were suffering. At the February budget meeting the Conservatives said they were putting the rent up by extortionate amounts for tenants to help with repairs.

The day after external money was announced that they already knew they had, yet no change to the massive rent increases to struggling families.

Now more millions announced and a commitment to resolve the housing standard crisis they’ve neglected for so long. Still no change to the rent increases of struggling hard working tenants in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Leader of Northumberland Labour Scott Dickinson MBE said: “These rent payers have been reporting issues for years, they need investment, you’ve received it so back off from talking more from people’s pockets.

“Two pots of money for Blyth have millions allocated to housing, surely this now means the tenants can have a reduction or reprieve on the astronomical increase in rent charges by the Conservatives in February?

“Northumberland Labour voted against this rise; we knew they would announce the additional housing money the day after from government. Yet in the papers and speeches it was all justified by the need for the money to repair properties.

“With the last Labour Council hundreds of Council houses received essential repairs, hundreds of Council homes were built, and decent home standard improvements began, why have they let it build up for 7yrs and now on the run up to an election suddenly pledge money.

The Council Leaders keep talking about inequalities but target the most vulnerable for more money to fix poor decision making and political choices.”