Thousands march in London housing crisis protest
Government bill would force local councils to charge the same rents as private sector landlords
Thousands of Londoners marched through the British capital on Sunday in protest over a government housing bill as residents feel the pinch of soaring rents and house prices.
Demonstrators have marched repeatedly against the Conservative government’s Housing and Planning Bill, which critics describe as an attack on those living in public housing.
Carrying banners reading “You’re heartless, we’re homeless” and “I’m not moving”, the crowds marched to the houses of parliament, where they held a rally addressed by activists and trade union representatives.
“It’s a bill which destroys social housing. The Tories are going to socially cleanse the centre of London so poor people and middle income people can’t afford to live there any more,” said Diane Abbott, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party.
We’ve been told to move along because you know, we are not rich enough to stay in these places any more
Changes include a rule to force local councils to charge the same rents as private sector landlords if their tenants earn above a certain income level, and to make tenancies reviewable after a few years rather than indefinite.
