Government Bows to Council Pressure and Tenants' Rent Rise Slashed

7.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

The Government has caved in to pressure from Milton Keynes Council and other local authorities by agreeing to implement only a 3.1% rent rise, instead of the threatened 6.2%.

Milton Keynes Council tenants can now look forward to a far better deal than had previously been thought possible.

Liberal Democrat cabinet member for housing, Councillor Chris Williams, said: "We were determined that the Government should listen to the views of our tenants, who were looking at a huge rent increase at a time when families are beginning to feel the effects of the 'credit crunch' and facing real hardship.

"Although the rise is still more than we would like, at least the Government has taken note of the many e-mails and letters it has received from Councils across the country. The LibDem-run Milton Keynes Council intend to pass on the reduced rent in full and will backdate it to the beginning of April. I want to personally thank all those tenants who supported us in our successful efforts to get the Labour Government to change its mind."