The leasehold system is an outdated form of tenure that affects many in Hackney. The Government keeps flip flopping on its promises about this so Labour called a debate on leasehold reform and urged the Government to act. Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities & Local Government, Lisa Nandy, pressed the Government to keep its promises to abolish leasehold for new flats and begin the process to phase out existing leasehold and make commonhold the default option. See here for a transcript of her speech.
 
The Public Accounts Committee published its report on alcohol treatment services. Alcohol misuse has a huge impact, contributing to 100 different illnesses and costing the taxpayer around £25 billion a year (and this is likely an underestimate). But for every pound spent on alcohol treatment, there's a £3 wider benefit. It also can be life-changing for the individual in need of support. The committee will push the Government to deliver a separate alcohol strategy. See here to read the report in full and here for a summary.
 
And I was pleased to be out and about meeting Hackney residents over the last week, including residents in Haggerston who live on Peabody estates. We talked about disrepair and issues around the management of their homes. This is part of my work tackling and challenging housing associations to deliver better services for leaseholders and tenants. If you ever need my help on this, please get in touch.