Meacher attacks plan for £4.5m HMR cut

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher has attacked Government plans to cut £4.5 million from Oldham’s Housing Market Renewal (HMR) scheme.

HMR schemes bring together local councils, regional development agencies, and public and private-sector leaders to improve development and investment in housing.

Mr Meacher said that since 2002, more than £16,606 million has been spent in the North-West but the new coalition government has cut Labour’s plans to invest a further £311million by £50million.

Mr Meacher said that in addition, Housing Minister Grant Sharp had put the whole HMR scheme under review, with many people expecting more funding cuts this summer.

Mr Meacher said: “To target communities which most need investment after bearing the brunt of the recession is unforgivable.

“This government should hang their heads in shame that they are cutting millions of pounds in regeneration funding from an area like Oldham, which needs this help and are being hit hardest by the government’s housing cuts.

“Now is exactly the wrong time to be cutting back investment in long-term regeneration schemes, which bring improvement in local communities and good quality jobs.

“It is clear that the Conservative-Liberal-Democrat coalition will scrap the whole scheme after the summer if they can get away with it.”