Key events of 2011
East End Life, December 19
As we come towards the end of 2011 many people in
our borough are concerned about prospects for them, their families
and their communities.
This has been a tough year, and next year could be tougher
still. The economy is fragile with the much respected and
independent Institute of Public Policy Research revealing that
unemployment among women is already at its highest for two decades.
Youth unemployment remains far too high and, according to
government ministers, they believe it will continue to rise across
the country for some considerable time.
Housing – and the shortage of it – across the capital is also a
source of great concern. With government policy based on affordable
housing rents being at 80 per cent of market value, we in Tower
Hamlets are deeply worried about the impact on our families and
communities.
Our response has been to build as many houses as possible and
this year we have built more social housing than any other area in
England or Wales. I will do whatever I can to improve our housing
and build new homes. We will work with local housing providers to
keep housing affordable, against the general direction of central
government policy.
Against this tough backdrop I have developed, and will continue
to develop, policies aimed at putting more money back into the
pockets of local households.
The Mayor’s Education Allowance, freezing council tax, extending
the London Living Wage, apprenticeship schemes, keeping our fees
and charges for residents frozen or in line with inflation and
helping local businesses bid for contracts are all designed to
help.
Next year we will be looking at ways to tackle fuel poverty,
create progressive partnerships, work with co-ops and further
promoting fair trade products. December though is a time for
celebration and reflection, and I wish you all a happy Christmas
and a happy Chanukah.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman