On a cold day in February, Emma Reynolds, Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister, came to join a street stall in Clifton Down, meet students and attend a meeting about Labour’s Housing policies.
Emma spoke to passers-by and Labour supporters
and then took the opportunity to thaw out in a nearby café.
where she was interviewed for the student newspaper Epigram.
Emma told the students about Labour’s plans to stop Letting Agencies charging fees to tenants. That came as good news as they told her it wasn’t easy to find money for a deposit and Letting Agency fees as well, especially while waiting for the return of their deposit on their previous flat. Emma said that the Lib Dem plans for more transparency were not much help as, Just because you know you’re getting ripped off doesn’t stop you getting ripped off.
Emma went on to a meeting at the Barton Hill Settlement with tenants, councillors and representatives from housing associations. She listened to Councillor Marg Hickman (Lawrence Hill) speak about local problems and policy.
Emma then outlined Labour’s national policy for making renting more secure, with three-year tenancies and a cap on rent increases. She and Thangam answered questions and had time to talk to people informally as well.
