Labour conference 2017
On 27th September 2017, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn delivered his keynote speech at the party’s annual conference in Brighton.
In a wide-ranging speech to thousands of delegates, Corbyn pledged that a Labour government – which some see as being increasingly likely following their surprise performance in the June 2017 general election – would bring in rent controls and regeneration schemes.
Cities would be given the power to introduce rent controls in the private sector. “Rent controls exist in many cities across the world", said Corbyn, "I want our cities to have those powers too and tenants to have those protections.”
Another new pledge was to introduce tough new restrictions on regeneration projects:
“Regeneration is a much-abused word. Too often what it really means is forced gentrification and social cleansing, as private developers move in and tenants and leaseholders are moved out.”
To tackle this, Corbyn proposed that councils would have to win a ballot of existing tenants and leaseholders before any redevelopment scheme can take place. They would then ensure that existing tenants and leaseholders of a redeveloped estate could remain after the work has been completed. Such a policy is likely to be seen negatively by developers.
Addressing the failures of government and management surrounding the Grenfell Tower fire, Corbyn said that Labour in power would comprehensively review social housing policy. According to Corbyn, Grenfell stands for “a broken system that Labour must and will replace”.
“Tenants are not being listened to”, he said. “We will insist that every home is fit for human habitation – a proposal this Tory government voted down.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Can your business afford to ignore mental well-being?
£70 - 100 billion annually in UK construction sector.
Mental health in the construction industry
World Mental Health Day 10 October.
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
AI tools for planning, design, construction and management
A long, continually expanding list, any more to add?
Robots in the construction industry
From cultural characterisations to construction sites.
Empowering construction with AI integration
New horizons with a human touch.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government.