Meacher opposing HMR cut

HAPPY to help... Michael Meacher meets Werneth residents (from left) Mohammed Abbas, Saber Hussain and Sher Mohammed

OLDHAM MP Michael Meacher held a rally in Norfolk Street, Werneth, on Friday opposing the Government’s withdrawal of all new funding for the Housing Market Renewal (HMR)scheme.

Mr Meacher, Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, claimed the cuts will leave residents living in appalling conditions surrounded by boarded up houses, derelict buildings and devalued neighbourhoods. Mr Meacher said the planned 15-year project was meant to improve housing and living conditions in 19 neighbourhoods in Oldham but the Government had abandoned it.

He called the cutback irresponsible and said: “Whole communities will be living in dereliction and squalor. I will be supporting an adjournment debate in Parliament, as well as writing to Oldham Council demanding that any resources left in this year’s HMR programme is devoted to stabilising the areas of derelict homes.”