How many tenants will be left in London by the time the Universal Credit comes in? Large numbers will have been forced out of their homes and out of the capital by the vicious housing benefit cuts which are starting to be felt now, and are causing more and more families into rent arrears. Evictions are increasing every month.

The ridiculous thing is that all these massive cuts will create enormous hardship without actually saving the Government any money.

It is very well documented that housing stress creates ill health. Those at risk of losing their homes; those who do become homeless; those who have to move away from their social support networks; and those who find accommodation within the housing benefit limits by living in places that are too small, thereby creating overcrowding; - all these people will cost the health service more. These situations will often result in family relationship breakdown, increasing the need for more housing; the impact on children will add to education costs and in some cases will increase crime.

You don't need to be a statistician to see that these constant attacks on the poor cannot be motivated by a genuine belief that they will reduce the Government's deficit. So what does motivate this Government to make it so intent on implementing this policy?

Is your electricity and gas bill changing the way you live? Have you or

someone you know had to turn the heating off or down this winter to save

money? Do you think twice about switching on your lights at home? Are

your fuel bills taking up more than 10% of your income? If this is you,

then BBC Newsnight would like to speak to you. Please contact Elena

Egawhary on 07958 038 032 or elena.egawhary@bbc.co.uk

The government yesterday announced that they will be postponing the introduction of its controversial legal aid reforms by six months, from October 2012 to April 2013.

Why is this delay a good thing? Many cases which are currently eligible for legal aid will no longer be eligible once the reforms come into force. This means that you would not be entitled to have your claim funded and therefore would have to fund it yourself. The reforms that the government is proposing will severely affect the level of services that Brent Private Tenants’ Rights Groups can provide to its clients. For example, at the moment if you are experiencing problems because of disrepair in your property and your landlord is not doing anything about this, we could give you advice, act on your behalf and even take the matter to court if necessary. However, under these new rules we would only be able to help you if the disrepair is classed as “serious” disrepair, affecting your health or the health of others you live with.

Tenants will be in no better position to pay for legal advice and representation under these rules, and yet they will be stripped of their rights to claim legal aid. This means that landlords will more easily be able to get away with treating their tenants unfairly because the tenant will not know what rights they have or how to enforce these against the landlord and without legal aid tenants will not be able to seek legal advice at places like Brent Private Tenants’ Rights Group. Tenants will either have to fork out for private legal costs or try and take on the landlord themselves.

What do you think of the reforms to legal aid? What is your response to the government postponing this by six months? How will all of this affect you?

Get in touch with us on here and let us know what you think!

HI