Labour’s would-be MP for Truro and Falmouth, Charlotte MacKenzie, has called on the new Cornwall Council to take advantage of help offered to hard-pressed tenants by the Government to lower rent increases.

On 6 March the Housing Minister, Margaret Beckett, announced that the Government was to invite local authorities to apply for cash to reduce average guideline rent increases from 6.2 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

The changes to the guideline rent increase means tenants should see a marked drop in their proposed average rent increase for the coming year – but only if the help is claimed.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:
“This offer of help by the Government is welcomed by hard-pressed tenants in Truro and Falmouth constituency – but it’s up to the new Cornwall Council to claim it. Today they will have received a letter setting out what their new revised guideline rent will be and if any time is lost in responding positively local tenants will want to know why.

“The Government has listened to what people in Carrick said about the planned rent increases, and I am determined to help tenants get a fair and affordable deal. I am delighted that the Government has listened to people who wrote to them – including the letter that I sent to housing and local government ministers – and representations by Carrick Tenants Forum.

“I have written to Cornwall Council asking them to make sure we don’t miss out.”

Margaret Beckett said:
“We are determined to do all that we can to help local people in these difficult times, which is why I announced this extra help on 6 March. As I set out, there is no reason why the revised increases cannot be introduced straight away, so I would urge Cornwall Council to ensure that there is no delay in taking up the offer.”