Supporting calls for housing upgrades

Taunton and Wellington’s MP Gideon Amos supported students from the constituency at an event in London calling for upgrades to the quality of housing across the country.

The gathering in Parliament Square was organised by Citizens UK and included schoolchildren, dressed as builders, who presented their call for action through a song while waving homemade banners, spanners and hammers.

Those taking part were calling on the Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey, to not just build better, more energy efficient, homes but to take a ‘Fix It First’ approach to upgrade the existing housing stock.

Citizens UK said that many of those at the gathering lived in homes which were in a state of disrepair, with leaks, vermin and mould all being common. They want the government to use their powers to end disrepair for the eight million people in England who live in a home which presents a serious threat to their health and safety.

Kacey, one of the students from Taunton at the action, said: "I live in a house where the bathroom walls contain asbestos, and the light took six months to repair. My parents lost workdays waiting for appointments which were cancelled or delayed because of the asbestos.

"When we pulled up the flooring, we found damp and rot underneath - my sister’s foot went straight through the boards, cutting her ankle, and we had to wait nearly two weeks for it to be fixed.

“We shouldn’t have to walk on unsafe floors or live with materials that threaten our health. Repairs take too long, and families like mine are left feeling ignored. Housing is a basic need, not a privilege - everyone deserves a safe, healthy home.”

As Lib Dem Spokesperson for Housing and Communities, Gideon spoke at the gathering.

He said: "You’re absolutely right to be campaigning on this because it's not just about the really bad repair situation we've heard about, it's also about saving our environment by reducing carbon emissions.

“We in the Liberal Democrats want to see £8.4 billion spent every year - that's £40 billion over five years - and an emergency home energy upgrade plan, starting with free insulation for those on low incomes and ensuring that all new homes are zero-carbon."

He was asked by Ellie, another student from Taunton, if he would write to the leaders and housing cabinet members of all Lib Dem councils in England, asking them to prioritise repair work alongside other measures when they’re devising their allocation of the Warm Homes Plan.

Gideon confirmed: “I will absolutely follow this up by writing to the councils and encouraging my colleagues to do the same.”

He added after the event: “It was great to see Taunton and Wellington students taking up the cause of cheaper-to-run and warmer homes for those who need them.

"We want to see warmer homes and people's bills cut in half, and using cheaper renewable energy will do just that, as well as reducing pollution."