The Government has approved a huge amount of help for Islington Leaseholders following a campaign by local Labour MP Emily Thornberry. Over £1.8 million will be spent to help out leaseholders on 11 of Islington's Estates in the EC1 area.
Leaseholders were threatened with massive bills when plans for new security works were announced in July. Emily intervened to argue that the NDC board and the Council should seek Government approval to reduce the charges. They agreed and Emily then lobbied the Government, raising the issue directly with Government Ministers, to make sure that the Government approved the reduction.
Cabinet Member David Milliband MP, the Minister of Communities and Local Government said:
"This is the first time that the Government has stepped in this way, but Emily has been working closely with us on this. She has persuaded us that it was the right way to spend government money. Hardworking MPs like Emily, who have good local knowledge, are not only an asset to their communities, but they can also be very helpful to us when we are making important decisions, like this one."
Emily Thornberry MP said:
"This is great news. I promised to work hard to help leaseholders when I was elected and I've been pushing since then to get a fair deal. We've finally been able to get EC1 New Deal Board, Islington Council and the Government to agree. It was a pity that Islington Council managed to mess up the application first time round, but never mind, alls well that ends well."
The security and others works to the estate will be funded from the £52.9 million provided by the Government for EC1 New Deal for Communities (NDC). EC1 New Deal aims to help tackle poor access to job opportunities, high levels of crime, educational underachievement, high levels of poor health and run-down physical environments, including housing.
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Estates that will benefit include Brunswick Estate, Earlstoke Estate, King Square Estate, Percival Estate, Plydell Estate, Whitecross Estate, Redbrick Estate, Wenlake Estate, St. Luke's Estate, Stafford Cripps Estate and The Triangle.
