Council house anger over finances

12:07pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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A COUNCIL has accused the Government of "swiping money" from council house tenants when redistributing their rent.

Gravesham Council says that of the £21m paid in annual rents throughout Gravesham this year, £6m of this went straight to Whitehall.

It says that much of this money is used to fund public services which do not even benefit Gravesham residents.

Along with 60 other local authorities, Gravesham has pledged to submit evidence to the Government highlighting the impact which this is having on the tenants' houses.

Council lead member for housing, Councillor Anthony Pritchard, said: "It's very difficult to provide decent homes with decent kitchens and bathrooms for our tenants when the Government is swiping money from the people least able to bear the burden."

A Government spokesman replied by saying: "We are working with a wide range of experts and practitioners to find a way forward for council housing finance that is affordable and fair to all."