Sadiq Khan’s latest ^brainwave^

He hasn't committed to anything, quotes are actually that he wants to "have an honest conversation about it". (despite the reports in certain papers as a done deal).

In most cities single homeless people and some families are already housed in cheap hotels on a temporary basis. I don't think prisoners should be treated differently but - special needs assessments are made across the board and some prisoners might fall into those categories.

More scaremongering in the press that has become accepted as true🙄.

As a principle though, it's tricky. As a student in the 80s I did summer work in a careers office. There was high unemployment and a lot of young people were put on YTS schemes, which were supposed to train them for the jobs that didn't exist. Some were much more valuable than others, as they were known to give actual training, as opposed to sweeping floors etc. We had young people referred by the probation system (I think - they had criminal records or were deemed to be otherwise at risk of criminality) and they were given priority on these schemes. It's hard to argue that young people who had had a poor start shouldn't be given a leg up, and if this resulted in lower crime rates, keeping them off drugs and so on, who could complain? But the 'decent' kids who hadn't done well at school but had stayed out of trouble were always at the back of the queue, and it struck me as unfair. They were up against it too, and getting a head start with a job at that stage could make a difference to the rest of their lives.

This is the same sort of thing. Those who stay on the straight and narrow and try to live a responsible life are always left to their own devices, whilst those who don't are given handouts and help, yet what do we do? Let people starve if they have no money? Go back to notions of 'deserving and 'undeserving'? There is no easy answer.

Doodledog why is reporting what the Mayor of London has said at a meeting of the Crime & Justice Commission scarmongering ?

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog why is reporting what the Mayor of London has said at a meeting of the Crime & Justice Commission scarmongering ?

The media presenting it as a done deal is scaremongering.

According to Wyllow it is an idea for discussion. I tend to believe her interpretation over the biased media.

Its misleading to talk about jumping the queue on family accommodation
When were are actually talking about single homeless men, different accommodation issues entirely.

Sadiq Khan said there needs to be an honest discussion

This is clearly shown on the screenshot in my OP!

Nowhere does it or my OP say it is a done deal !

It was the accurate quote of what he said MaizieD from all the MM as
an honest conversation with our constituents about the reasons why people who have offended and come out of prison may need. .......
if you google this sentence you'll see it in the MM - except not the impression the headlines give!

Wyllow3

Its misleading to talk about jumping the queue on family accommodation
When were are actually talking about single homeless men, different accommodation issues entirely.

I am only posting on an interview I heard this morning, please do not shoot the messenger

I thought it was of interest, especially since the Government has had to release prisoners early this week, and has said it will release more next month.

There is a shortage of social housing in London and private rentals are expensive, everyone should have a roof over their heads.

If private rentals weren't so expensive then surely more people would be able to afford them?
The housing crisis is a situation of our own making. We were warned about it forty years ago and no one took any notice.
What do people really expect?

That's very true GG13, but in the picture you show, look at the difference between the headlines and the tiny print.

It's all too clear what's being highlighted, and what impression is being conveyed.

Tweets following the "honest conversation quote" blast Khan without any reference to it being a tentative opening of discussions/negotitions.

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog why is reporting what the Mayor of London has said at a meeting of the Crime & Justice Commission scarmongering ?

The media presenting it as a done deal is scaremongering.

According to Wyllow it is an idea for discussion. I tend to believe her interpretation over the biased media.

Exactly so, Wyllow. Having an honest conversation is what should always happen. When the results of that conversation are known, people can rush to judgement.

Not personal, GG13, apology if it looked that way. I was trying to address the issue.

Doodledog

MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog why is reporting what the Mayor of London has said at a meeting of the Crime & Justice Commission scarmongering ?

The media presenting it as a done deal is scaremongering.

According to Wyllow it is an idea for discussion. I tend to believe her interpretation over the biased media.

Exactly so, Wyllow. Having an honest conversation is what should always happen. When the results of that conversation are known, people can rush to judgement.

I give up 🤷‍♀️

The media are not to my knowledge presenting this as a done deal neither was I in my OP!

I posted because I thought it was an important topic.

Wyllow3

Not personal, GG13, apology if it looked that way. I was trying to address the issue.

Me too, with my mention of the YTS in the 80s.

It's just that every thread these days seems to be 'I heard that. . .' and something negative. People are getting worried unnecessarily (or prematurely, as the case may be). I've never known it be like this - or never anywhere near as bad, at least.

It wasn’t meant as a negative, it’s important to have discussions on a wide range of topics.

There is definitely a feeling of worry in the air not just on GN, but in general.

Perhaps it’s to be expected with a change of Government after 14 years? Especially as they are repeatedly telling the electorate that things will only get worse in the near future.

Hopefully after the budget things will settle 🤞🏻

I hope so GG13. Everything seems so gloomy just now, and worry finds company, doesn't it?

I think it is fair to say that of many threads DD. It does mean discussions can become speculative and polemical and hostile very quickly, when the reality is that we are all struggling with a number of very difficult situations given the state of the country.

Grannygravy, yes!

There is also misinformation from some of the right wing press and television channels.

Right wing sources can be identified by who pays them. Right wing sources are owned by rich individuals.

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog why is reporting what the Mayor of London has said at a meeting of the Crime & Justice Commission scarmongering ?

Apologies, GG13. I mistook the meaning of this post. Was rushing out to take the dog to the vet.

2 of my friends, one divorced, the other widowed, live in local authority housing in Surrey. Their adult children left home long ago and they rattle around in 3/4 bedroom houses whilst the local council's waiting list is crammed with young families who would give their right arm for such a place. I made the mistake of mentioning this one evening when we were having a meal out. They closed ranks and were furious with me for suggesting they could downsize. Those houses were theirs as far as they were concerned. However, I feel anyone dealing with social housing must use their stock to best and fair advantage. No wonder waiting lists are so long if my local authority are the norm. Oh and Maggie should have insisted that all money from the sale of council houses was used to build more homes.

^ Oh and Maggie should have insisted that all money from the sale of council houses was used to build more homes.^

More council housing was the very last thing that Thatcher wanted. She was trying to completely do away with any sort of dependency on the state...

As I understand it, council houses paid their way and were not about dependency. Those not on benefits and paying full rent paid a fair rent, which went to the LA and covered repairs, which could be done more cheaply than in the private sector, because of numbers, and because they employed their own teams.

Selling them off didn't do away with the numbers on housing benefit etc, but meant that instead of rent going to the LA, it went to landlords, some of whom had bought council houses at a discount. Most charge a market rent, which is not the same as a fair one, and don't necessarily keep the houses in good order.

Crazy.

Doodledog maintenance on council properties from the mid 80’s until now is more expensive than private rentals/home owners. They have strict H & S protocol (rightly so) which is non negotiable.

The procurement procedure was/is very convoluted, they buy from who they know which in most circumstances is not the cheapest.

(Our business has been involved with LA procurement since the late 70’s)

I totally agree with Sabrina that under-occupancy of council accommodation is a huge problem. The focus is always on Margaret Thatcher’s right to buy scheme, which removed houses from the social system. However, so many council houses are still occupied by the same family from 50:years ago, most of whom have now left home leaving a sole elderly occupant. The bedroom tax tried to alleviate this but was widely vilified.
There is currently much discussion on how to move on older people occupying their large family homes in the private sector. Let’s look again as encouraging council tenants to do the same.