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Tues 3 January 2006 UNISON calls on first minister to respect Edinburgh tenants and wipe out housing debtThe Edinburgh Branch of UNISON, the public service union, has written to First Minister Jack McConnell asking him to respect the vote by Edinburgh's housing tenants who rejected plans to transfer their homes to a housing association. "We are calling on the Scottish Executive to join with the council, tenants' representatives and housing staff to jointly develop a way forward for affordable housing in Edinburgh", said John Stevenson, UNISON Edinburgh Branch Secretary. "Scottish ministers must recognise the tenants' wishes to stay with the council. It was ridiculous that housing debt would only be written off if tenants voted to leave the council. Edinburgh tenants were angry at that blatant blackmail." "It is not right that the First Minister and council leaders should condemn tenants for seeking a different way forward. The politicians now have an opportunity to develop new ways of providing public sector housing which is so vital in an area like Edinburgh where house prices are out of the reach of many people. The ballot vote shows tenants want to be part of those discussions". "We have never had an explanation as to why the debt write-off was dependent on stock transfer. We are calling on ministers to explain why the debt cannot be written off now. Let us have the 'level playing field' called for by the House of Commons Council Housing Group", added Mr Stevenson ENDS Further Information John Stevenson, branch secretary, 07876 795 018 (m)
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