Extra Summer Advice Surgeries
Over the past month Nick Brown has been running a series of extra advice surgeries. Nick has held 19 events in all, in every part of the constituency. It’s been a chance to make sure that anyone who can’t make the regular weekend sessions is able to raise issues with Nick face to face.
The particular focus has been on driving up take up of Child Tax Credit, Working Family Tax Credit, and Pension Credit. Tax Credits are an established part of the tax system now, and for that system to work it’s important that people are receiving the money that they’re entitled to.
Nick has been helped by staff from HMRC and the Pensions Service, who’ve done a great job, offering people practical advice on what extra money they should be getting. They’ve seen more than a hundred people, and a further hundred or so have contacted Nick’s office, asking to be put in touch with HMRC.
But people have raised other issues too. Nick has heard a whole range of views, on subjects from anti-social behaviour to the fight against climate change. The most frequent question, though, has concerned the housing stock in our area. It’s clear there’s an urgent need for more affordable rented accommodation in East Newcastle. Rather than build more homes, however, Newcastle City Council continue to pull them down.
Housing Minister John Healey visited Newcastle with Nick this summer, so he’s well aware of the challenges we’re facing. Last week Mr Healey announced a £127m project to build thousands of homes across the country. But Newcastle City Council failed to even put in a bid for the money. Another round of funding is due to be announced later in the year. Nick Brown is encouraging the Council to get their act together, start taking up the Government help on offer, and start building the new homes people need.
