13/01/2013 Sunday Politics East

Here in the East, the end of council tenants having a home for

life, as fixed term tenancies are introduced.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 2541 seconds

And MPs renewing calls for banks to Hello and happy new year to you all.

Welcome back to Sunday Politics East. I'm Etholle George. Coming

up... Your house, but not your home? An end to lifetime tenancies

will mean families in the future could be moved after only a few

years at the same address. We think it is important for tenants to move

into their homes securely and knowing this is their home or light.

-- for life. And MPs get bankers and businesses

together to see why so many firms are still struggling for funds.

cannot imagine how a start-up would get finance it looking to a bank.

But first, let us meet our guests for this week. Dr Therese Coffey,

the Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal. And Tom Beattie, the

Labour leader of Corby Council. Let us start with news of that annual

price hike to rail fares. Above inflation for the 10th consecutive

year. Tom Beattie, the highest rise in the region is 4.7% in

Northamptonshire. I think it is difficult to justify them, putting

a bigger burden on people travelling to work. I think it is a

significant amounts of money for someone to have from their salary.

I pick it is difficult to justify that. Therese Coffey, not all bad

news, though. �10 billion worth of investment for rail across the

region covering the period up to 2019. 1.4 billion will improve one

of the services. That is absolutely vital. We have seen increases in

people using the trains. But the track is not always standing up to

the stream. And also improving across the counties, which is to be

welcomed. Other important its infrastructure improvement on

Northamptonshire? I absolutely vital. The opening of the new

railway station really helped with economic regeneration plans. We

welcome particularly the proposal to elect replied that section of

the line between Kettering and Corby and also to have two rats.

Those infrastructure improvements will be vital to the success of

regeneration projects. Now to one of the biggest changes

for council tenants in generations. Next week is the deadline for our

local authorities to decide whether to end lifetime tenancies and

replace them with fixed terms. We can reveal a split among local

authorities in our region along political lines. We have found that

Labour-run councils are to retain lifetime tenancies for their own

housing stock. Only Tory-run Waveney will join them. While

Conservative and Lib Dem councils plan to move to five or even two

year tenancies. The Government hopes the change will free up more

homes for those on the housing register. But critics say the move

could create problem neighbourhoods in the future.

I had let years since my daughter was seven and she is denied that

the two. -- I have lived here. Maureen Connolly brought up her

family in this three-bedroomed Norwich house. She now has plenty

of space for visitors and grand children. I would Heat 2 move. But

I have said the only way I would leave his in a box, beat bards. --

and would not like to move. Maureen's tenancy with Norwich City

Council means she can comfortably see out her days in this house, if

she chooses to. But soon new tenants in other areas will no

longer have the right to a home for life. We think it is important for

tenants to move into homes securely and knowing this is their home for

life. It is more than a political stance. We believe people should

have the same rights to be able to live securely and make a life for

themselves and their families in a community around them. That is our

priority. Orwell Housing, based in Suffolk, was among the first in the

UK to introduce Affordable Rent Tenures a year ago. Alex Fitton and

his partner Sapphira moved in three months ago. That was after a two

and a half year wait for their own flat. They're on a yearlong starter

tenancy which, all being well, should be extended for five more

years. Allied time Kinsey would not make a difference. We would not be

looking to stay. -- a lifetime tenancy. We would probably want to

move to a bigger house at some point. That's exactly the kind of

move Orwell Housing says the shorter tenancy should prompt. It

is said that shorter tenses could cost more in the Long Run. Every

time you in the tenancy, you have to deal with administrative costs

and the loss of rent that inevitably occurrence -- at an

inevitably happen. That can cost over �2,500 on a very time we have

to let again. This month, councils are required to publish new tenancy

strategies as guidance for social landlords. Research by the Sunday

Politics shows Labour councils in the East favouring lifetime

tenancies. Conservative and Lib Dem authorities are likely to move to

the five year deal. What a lot of us, we have to think about job

prospects, we are we are going and it might add that somebody not

staying in a school for a full term, but children adapt and can change

and we have to change. Can you give guarantees to people they would not

be to work out that they did not want to go? They would be given

every support. It depends on every individual case. Or Maureen and all

existing social housing tenants, the changes will have no impact.

But for future generations, a rented home or like could be a

thing of the past. Well, earlier this week, political

correspondent Andrew Sinclair spoke to Brandon Lewis. He is Communities

and Local Government Minister and a Great Yarmouth MP. He defended the

changes. It gives an opportunity to make sure people have more

opportunity on appropriate housing. We do not want areas blog, giving

people the chance to move on to something more suitable. But you

are talking about people who want to move. The trouble with this

fixed tenancy is you will have to make people move. First of all,

people in a property at the moment are protected. This is for people

new to properties after April. every four or five years, made to

move? Not necessarily. It is giving flexibility on a local authority to

look at things, making sure people have the right housing. That does

not mean making people move every for five years. The landlord and

his fight to get a longer tenancy. -- the landlord can decide. It a

family of four meat at home, that is still needed. What will change

potentially its, its someone goes into a property as a family of four,

and then down the line, it their needs change, we can then make sure

that authority as the flexibility to get them into appropriate forms.

But isn't this going to undermine people's security. It can be

difficult to put down roots knowing you might be moved. There are a lot

of people in private accommodation move quite regularly. But choosing

to do that. A understand. We Assington local authorities that --

I understand that. We are saying to local authorities that people's

circumstances change. And people might be less inclined to get

involved in community activities because of the possibility of

moving. I do not think so. People doing that want to be involved in

their communities. People who want to be part of their humanity will

always do that. People who move home rejoice are getting older will

still take a choice about getting involved and usually do. Shelter is

very critical of this, saying short-term finances could

destabilise communities. I just do not accept that. People want to be

part of their humanity. People can still be choose to be part of the

community and get involved. I am not sure that us that end of impact.

What about the argument that this causes more -- that this cost more

when looking at the negotiating and letting properties out again?

not buy into that. We need to make sure we use housing stock to the

best ability for residents. Tom Beattie, why are you not

changing things? We believe that tenants require security and that

is widely countenances are the best. I also take the point about

destabilising communities that stop people stewed up the choice to move

and began of a bat. -- people should have the choice. These

changes an increase in security. People feel insecure in their jobs.

What about this will show fabric of these communities? I think a point

was well made by Brandon Lewis that people do want to be involved get

involved anyway. If you were guaranteed somewhere to live for

five years, that does not stop you becoming a school governor of

becoming involved with local schools. But if you are only there

for a couple of years, but you key in as much about the property and

maintaining it? -- what you care as much. I know one council is

proposing a two-year tenancy bring young people under the age of 25. I

think that is sensible. When I do not agree with Tom is there are

waiting lists. I think it is right that councils and housing

associations have the appropriate tools we have there is an

assumption people will stay in their homes. But when you no longer

need three bedrooms, I think it is fair to say that we need this

family home for a family that is growing. What about children moving

schools. Is it be at the she did that? I think that is unlikely.

is it fair that children should add that? I know in London there is a

member of parliament it is in social housing. That is quite a

change. He has been an MP for quite a long time. Should the council be

able to say to him it is time to move? That will not up and on that

individual, or the people in the film, being existing tenants, but

it will change for new or tenants. What about being up much-needed

social housing stock? I be there is the need for more housing. That is

a demand for more housing. Rather than attempt to moving people on

against their will. The notion of social housing only been available

to people with low ink comes or vulnerable its dangerous. I grew up

on a council estate. Those were very mixed communities back then.

You could be up at any work and living next door to a school

teacher. -- you could be a factory worker. This drives communities

into nothing more than sink estates. I do not agree. We have seen how

social housing has changed. What you want to see from councils,

working with housing developers, is a greater mixture of housing.

Surely this will cost more? Administration? And on local-

authority reviewing every two years will cost a lot of money?

necessarily. Some people could be in unsuitable accommodation at the

moment. These are balanced. I do not think the reason for having to

sign a new tenancy agreement of the five years is a reason not to have

this policy. What about it children have moved on, should people still

live in a family-sized house? can do things to encourage people

to downsize and already do that, but it is someone's choice and we

have to recognise and respect that choice. Use of the woman in Norwich

who has lived in that house for probably most of her life. She is

probably comfortable there. It seems harsh to ask her to move.

Isn't it localism that has given you as accounts of the chance to go

your own way? Yes. We were asked if he wanted to make changes to

housing strategy and if we wanted to adopt lits -- adopt fixed and

penances and be said no. We want to provide tenants with the security

wanted. I respect the decisions for councils to make these decisions.

Those will be voted on by the public. I have a lot of people

asking why bother saving to buy their house when they could have

just got a council house. My answer is you have the choice of where you

live. Often, when the state provides for you, ultimately you

end up losing choices. This is not tended to be punitive, but about

saying we do need to make sure housing stock is used to its

maximum capacity. We shall leave it there and stay with finances. In a

bit of a groundhog day moment, MPs from Norfolk and Suffolk have been

holding their second annual banking summit. They met with senior

figures from the banking industry, and more than 100 business people,

to try to help kick-start the economy of this region. Despite new

figures showing a small increase in lending, many firms are finding it

tough to get affordable finance. A similar conference was held last

year. But small businesses, across the region, like this one in Harlow,

still insist that banks aren't doing enough to help.

We make bespoke kitchens, furniture, fitted furniture and various other

things. We started in 2006. It was just my partner and myself. The

group from a small workshop to this place. We have about five employees.

We decided to refinancing and looked around for a bank loan. We

then discovered that the banks were not lending money easily and look

elsewhere and bound Foundation Easts. That is a not-for-profit

organisation in this region that lends money to small businesses.

The rate was higher than the banks, but the banks were not interested.

At best, it was difficult. At worst, it was downright obstructive. The

banks are looking for a sure bet, not a safe bet or good lane -- plan.

They are looking for something so 100%, why would I want to borrow

money it by did not need to borrow it? I was looking to borrow to

expand rather than prop up a business. I would dread to think

about it would be on a start-up business. I was established, trying

to borrow to expand. I cannot imagine how a start-up would get

financing it looking to a bank. Therese Coffey, you would hosting

this summit. What did it hoped to achieve? It was about bringing

accountability, everything together to talk about problems. We also had

success stories. I think it was a positive day. Undoubtedly, there

are still issues in terms of making sure that businesses get access to

appropriate finance to stop that you had to have a second one?

rather sad you had to have a second one? I think it was successful and

we are planning another one next year. Foundation East, amongst

others, are getting equity. There are also start-up schemes,

particularly for young people. The latest one has been extended to

their peak. What about Corby, anything you can do? We try to work

its closely with businesses. The whole approach as a council is

about economic development. That runs like a thread through all the

stuff we do. We do not have a specific development department,

but make sure that economic development and access to finance

is taken seriously. At a practical level, how can you help that?

can work with developers to make available land. We are not a bank

and cannot lend money. I have come from a meeting with my local

strategic partnership where we were talking about this issue. That was

in relation to the Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce to have called

on a business bank. It is the difficulty here that businesses are

not getting access to needed money. Those tend to be small businesses

generally. The big companies have money and find it easier. There is

a lot of positive action, but not much happening. Net lending is up

in the region, which is good news, are being used to help companies

grow. There is still more we want to do and try to do it was that are

aspects -- and try to do. One thing to do is help with business

planning. You are not blaming the businesses or lack of lending?

businesses are operating in their overdraft. Others are nervous about

investing when they could get finance. We shall leave it there.

Now, just time for our political round-up. Commuting by train

resumed for many of us this week. But not, it seems, for the Rail

Minister. Deborah McGurran reveals in 60 seconds.

A special BBC investigation by Inside Out found hundreds of cases

of abuse against elderly people in care homes. It is intolerable and

we should all feel confident when a loved one goes into a care home

that they should be safe and well looked after.

And Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge, finds it intolerable

that the county's funding per pupil is one of the lowest in the country.

Cambridgeshire school children will suffer from underfunding fought

even longer unless action is taken now.

Now the Corby by-election is over, cross party consensus breaks out

over the future of Kettering Hospital. We want to keep the vital

acute health services in the north and Northamptonshire.

Rail Minister Simon Burns faced criticism for using a ministerial

car to get to London instead of travelling by train.

And Derek Murphy, the leader of Norfolk County Council, is stepping

down temporarily to face his critics. It is while he's

investigated by the council's standards committee. I have to put

forward a very effective case to defend my position.

More shortfalls in elderly care. What more needs to be done?

Care Quality Commission was criticised for being unclear about

their remit. I think they are clear. Care should be of the best quality.

I welcome their instant inspections. I am meeting them next month,

because there are some homes in my part of the region that a not doing

what they should be. I am also following up with the county

council to see how be an inspecting. Vital that people in Kear need to

be looked after properly. -- care. It is terrible people in care are

being treated this way? Absolutely. You would expect you are elderly

relatives, when going into care, to be looked after well. The elderly

and very young are the two most vulnerable groups and will deserve

the best. We need to do what we can to make sure that happens. We shall

come back to this on another day. Thank you both very much for

joining us. That's all for now. Keep in touch