Another Cut to Hackney

The Tory government has just announced yet another cut which hits Hackney's poorest residents.

As part of the previous government's Decent Homes programme, the council has been investing in new bathrooms, kitchens, windows and roofs - many in blocks where new fittings were needed after 40 years of use.

The council and Hackney Homes have been working hard to improve standards of service, making us eligble for receipt of Decent Homes money. To date, more than £100 million has been invested into our housing stock with Wilton, Wayman, Boscobel and Mountford estates in the ward having received the much needed improvements that have transformed many residents homes.

Despite the good work, the government has announced that instead of giving us the remaining £89 million that is needed to finish this vital work, we have instead been given only £61.5 million - a cut of about £28 million and it has been spread over an additional two years - delaying further the work that is badly needed.

The reality may be even worse. No money beyond 2013 has been guaranteed and so £27 million of the remaining amount is still in doubt. This reduction is purely a decision of the government - and has nothing to do with either Hackney Council or Hackney Homes.

Hackney Central has been lucky that a large amount of work that has meant to have taken place has - but Aspland and Marcon remains an ongoing concern. Other parts of the borough have not been so lucky and will see work scaled back dramatically.

We will continue to press for the works that are so badly needed on the Marcon estate and will keep you up to date as more news comes through.

This is yet another, in an increasingly long list of cuts, being carried out by this Tory government on one of the poorest parts of the country.