Housing and homelessness is top of politicians’ agendas so please, George Osbourne, don’t cut house building

In a survey carried out by Shelter, 72% of the 150 new Members of Parliament questioned, said that housing was one of the top three problems raised by their constituents, and 49% saying it was the most common problem raised.

The specific issues raised included the long wait for social housing, difficulties getting onto the property ladder, and overcrowded homes.

If anything, the situation is going to get worse.  I am hoping that the measures being announced later today by the Chancellor will spare housing and homelessness from the cuts, although I fear that investment in new social housing is one of the quickest and most certain ways a government can reduce expenditure. 

Cuts to housing programmes will have medium and long term impact on communities and on families, particularly in areas like Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne and Hastings.  A major development project in Rye Valley could be at risk. 

Already 10,000 people want to leave Brighton (according to a survey by the City Council) because they can no longer afford to live here.  And housing costs are the single biggest factor.

The Coalition Programme for Government says deficit reduction is the highest priority.  But I appeal to George Osbourne not to sacrifice investment in house building.

We must have that mature debate about drugs, and we must include alcohol

During the election campaign there was a debate amongst candidates about drug policy.  I commented at the time that the debate was too important to have during an election campaign and that there was a need for a mature debate once the heightened state of affairs that characterise election campaigns had calmed down.

In today’s Argus, the city’s Director of Public Health, Tom Scanlon, receives coverage for his annual report. He reports that there are 53,000 hazardous drinkers, just over 24% of the population aged over 16.  He said: “Put simply, it is not overstating the case to say that in Brighton and Hove an awful lot of people die or fall ill as a result of alcohol consumption, while the lives of many others are disrupted and in some cases ruined”.

Recorded alcohol related hospital admissions rose from 855 per 100,000 of the population in 2003/04 to 1,870 per 100,000 in 208/09.

It is time for that mature debate on drugs, and we must include the most dangerous drug of all, alcohol, in that debate.

Debate about drugs too important to have serious discussion on Twitter

I have noticed quite an exchange this evening on Twitter regarding drugs, drug treatment and decriminalisation/legalisation.  I raised this matter at the hustings in the Pavilion constituency last night, and I have been pleased to have had serious discussions on the issue with various candidates in the general election, including Labour’s Nancy Platts, the Conservative Charlotte Vere, and the Green candidate Caroline Lucas. 

At the hustings there was a consensus that there was a need to have a serious discussion about drug policy.  In Brighton and Hove we have the highest rate of drug-related deaths in the country. Nationwide, just 3% of those leaving treatment do so drug free. Increasing numbers are developing addictions as recreational use gets out of control. 

The problem with any debate about drugs is that it so easily deteriorates into fixed positions regarding decriminalisation or enforcement, harm minimisation or abstinence, hard or soft on crime.  This issue is too important to allow that to happen in Brighton and Hove.  It should not be used as a polityical football.  It needs calm heads and serious minds.

Having worked with drug users for much of the last quarter of a century, I certainly don’t know all the answers.  I have seen lives devastated by drugs, and I have seen hundreds of men and women find recovery and build lives free from drugs, including the most devastating one of all, alcohol.  I have been inspired and encouraged by the remarkable accounts of those who have made recovery from addiction a reality.

I wish there was a simple answer.  Last night at the hustings, one person perhaps made a mistake.  Me.  Perhaps the debate about drugs should be shelved until after the election when we can bring together people who will collaborate to find an approach that will spare Brighton and Hove from the worst excesses of alcohol and drug use.

Until then, I would encourage you to read a new blog that has recently been launched called Recovery Is Possible.  Otherwise, please feel free to email me at andy.winter@bht.org.uk.