Liberal Burblings

Archive for the ‘Housing’ Category

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have issued three reports on the subject of “Migration, integration and local neighbourhoods”. These have been interpreted in a variety of ways by the media. The BBC summarises the reports here:

The survey also found evidence of tension between different ethnic groups – “Strong expressions of prejudice against other migrants and against some British ethnic minorities.”

…Despite such tensions, this report finds that most migrants end up staying longer than they’d planned and almost all of those who leave say they plan to return.

One of the reports partly focuses on housing, which has been the subject of recent controversy. It talks about “the importance of the allocation of housing as a factor underpinning ‘racialised resentment’ “

However, the report notes that often resentments over housing are also expressed in terms of other factors, notably age and generation. The report notes: “This suggests that social and community cohesion is not just or even primarily about ethnic tensions”.

The report interestingly explores these areas through quotations from residents interviewed in Tottenham and Moss Side.

I feel somewhat vindicated. Oh, alright then, I feel completely vindicated.

Last Sunday I criticised Margaret Hodge’s article on housing, particularly her use of language used by the BNP – specifically the word “indigenous”.

I then spent much of the week responding to hostile comments about this, including several remarkably convoluted arguments.

Well, now Madame Hodge has faced fierce criticism for her remarks from her own cabinet colleagues – Peter Hain and Alan Johnson. It is not often that you get Cabinet Ministers criticising another one like this. I cannot remember when it last happened. In fact, I’ll stick my neck out and say that it hasn’t happened in modern politics – since, say, 1945. (I’d welcome comments on this from those with better memories than mine). It is extraordinary.

Johnson accused Hodge of “using the language of the BNP”. He said:

There is no evidence whatsoever that immigrants are causing a problem with social housing….My problem is with that is that’s the kind of language of the BNP and it’s grist to the mill of the BNP.

Neighbouring MP Jon Cruddas has also weighed into the debate:

Housing is allocated according to need and it is disingenuous for Margaret Hodge to suggest otherwise.The problem is lack of housing supply and it’s a shame she wasn’t so vocal in the campaign for the building of more council housing.