200 years on, let’s not forget them - North Sands Massacre, Sunderland, 3 August, 1825

 

200 years on, let’s not forget them

North Sands Massacre, Sunderland, 3 August, 1825

Nearly 200 years ago, on 3rd August 1825, at least five people were shot dead by soldiers at North Sands, Sunderland. 

The massacre occurred during a strike by the Seamen's Loyal Standard Association (S.L.S.A.), an embryonic trade union.  The context was lowering wages, attempts by local shipowners to smash the association through the Ship Owners Protecting Society [S.O.P.S.], and a controversial legal case between the S.L.S.A and John Davidson, a local shipowner and magistrate, who’d failed to pay workers for fitting out his ship.  Specifically, the 1825 strike was about offloading ballast at sea from unladen boats returning to the port.  The S.L.S.A argued this was both dangerous, as the ships could capsize, and unfair because crews were not paid additional wages for this work.

During the strike, members of the S.L.S.A. prevented ships from leaving port.  On the day before the massacre, 2^nd August 1825, attempts to negotiate a settlement collapsed.  The S.L.S.A. had proposed the strike would end if the shipowners promised to provide work opportunities for union men and pay for offloading ballast at land or sea. S.O.P.S. rejected this proposal, so striking seamen returned to the river on their small coble boats to prevent larger ships from sailing.

On the 3rd August, the ship owners decided it was time to break the strike.  Several shipowners, non-unionised labour and special constables attempted to get several ships out to sea.  Initially frustrated, they turned to John Davidson, a Bishop Wearmouth magistrate.  Davidson was antagonistic to the S.L.S.A. following the outcome of the above-mentioned legal case, where he had lost £200 (approx. £24,000 equivalent today) in legal fees.  At Sunderland harbour, Davidson boarded a steam packet. At least eight soldiers from the 3^rd Light Dragoons, under command of Lieutenant Phillips, also sailed down the river in the Thomas and Dorothy before joining Davidson on the steam packet.

Striking seamen on the river retreated to the stony beach at North Sands. More than 100 people, including women and children, had gathered there by that time.  As the steam packet ventured closer to the riverbank, some women in the crowd started throwing stones.  Davidson consulted with Lieutenant Phillips, and the soldiers opened fire. According to a S.L.S.A letter dated 8^th August 1825; soldiers fired into the crowd as if it were targeting practice.  Three died within an hour on the beach, and at least two others died within the next two days.  Six were seriously wounded, and the exact number of deaths may never be known.  Local people demanded an inquest verdict of murder for the dead, named as William Ayrd, Richard Wallace, John Dove[r], Ralph Hunter Creighton, and James Quigley, of whom the latter two, Creighton and Quigley, were bystanders. But the inquests returned verdicts of ‘justifiable homicide’ for the first three deaths and ‘accidental death’ for Creighton.   

The funeral procession comprised 1,200 people.  Mourners sang, wore black crape and solemnly placed a British flag on the coffins.  Criminal court cases followed in October 1825, and eight strikers were imprisoned.  Further seamen strikes occurred in 1826 and 1831, but neither had such a bloody ending.

To mark the 200^th anniversary of the North Sands massacre, on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, a remembrance procession will take place at 2.15pm from St Peter's Church, Sunderland. A commemorative wreath in remembrance of the dead will be placed at the location of the North Sands massacre (now St Peter’s Campus, University of Sunderland). There will be readings, singing, and the naming of the dead.  All are welcome.  Please bring your Union banners. 

Dave Allan, Sunderland TUC President, Mark Metcalf and David Scott  Further details can be obtained from David on 07838245382 or Mark on 07392 852561

FORGING LINKS, CHANGING LIVES - How unions like Unite make the world’s workplaces better

 

FORGING LINKS, CHANGING LIVES

UniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024

How unions like Unite make the world’s workplaces better

 

Workers of the world, UNITE!

Over the last forty years particularly, the worldwide expansion of markets across all sectors has taken a heavy toll on workers and trade unions. Labour’s relationship with political parties has also weakened.

So, it’s more vital than ever that trade unionists across the world build alliances with one another that protect and advance their terms, conditions and rights.

Thankfully, Unite, and its descendant unions before it, fully understands the need for international solidarity and is part of a number of organisations dedicated to building internationalism.

One such body is the IUF, the food, farm, hotels, restaurants and fast-food chains global union representing 12 million workers that was formed in 1920 but dates back to 1889.

Unite’s Bev Clarkson is the President of the IUF Agricultural Workers Trade Group and in this interview, she explains her role and the crucial work of the IUF.

“I lead efforts to represent agricultural workers concerns at international forums within the IUF. This includes addressing issues like fair wages, working conditions, safety and labour rights across the agricultural sector.”

Agricultural work is, even in Britain, a highly dangerous occupation whilst death rates in the USA are seven times the national average.

“This involves working with unions globally to tackle shared challenges such as, seasonal labour, exploitation and climate change.”

Bev works closely with the Unite FDA executive council (EC) delegates along with the National Industrial Sector Committee (NISC) members on all these policies with Unite having delegates holding various seats within the IUF.

According to Bev it is important that Unite takes a leading role in the IUF because it “represents workers worldwide across food and agriculture sectors heavily represented by Unite. Actively participating helps Unite build a unified front to address challenges that are often shared across borders.”

Success

The shared challenges include workers in food, drink and agriculture being vulnerable to working conditions, low wages and, in some cases, exploitation in the global supply chain. One such case where Unite worked with trade union affiliates within the IUF to put an end to abhorrent sexual abuse on Kenyan tea farms was featured in the 2024 Landworker Summer edition. This followed a Panorama programme in 2023.

International trade agreements can also influence labour standards, wage levels and job security whilst policies on food safety, animal welfare, and agricultural practices affect the whole of the sector.

“Agriculture is also particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions more frequent, “ states Bev.

“Extreme weather patterns threaten yields and crops.  Unite members in agriculture are directly affected, extreme weather can lead to income instability and job insecurity.”

This was something that was highlighted in the 2024 Summer Landworker in articles on rain, the heaviest over the previous 18 months since records began, and heat with the UK recording the hottest day ever in 2022. Similar weather patterns can be found worldwide –leading to scores of Californian farmworkers dying - and clearly need to be tackled internationally if the world is not to face a catastrophic scenario.

Strengthening global rights

Bev hopes to see the IUF achieve many things over the next few years including strengthening global labour rights, improving wages and reducing wage inequality, enhancing health and safety standards, promoting job security, dealing with exploitation in the workplace and supply chain, strengthening union solidarity and concluding global policies for gender equality and anti-discrimination.

Migrant workers in the UK play a major role in food production. Many arrive having never previously been in a trade union. “They are vulnerable to exploitation more so within the agriculture sector where many workplaces are remote with the whole of the workforce also being migrant workers. They face issues such as underpayments, excessive hours, unsafe working conditions and poor housing.

“Clearly without union support, workers lack an organised way to address grievances, negotiate wages and secure any working benefits. The work migrants often do is of a precarious nature such as zero hours and seasonal work and this in its self can be very challenging.”

Thanks to Unite, migrant workers are getting active within the IUF

“In many places we have been successful in organising migrant workers in particular within the meat sector, our reps within the sector are now delegates not only in the UK but also within the IUF,” states Bev proudly.

Worldwide, the majority of child labour, affecting 112 million boys and girls, often in countries with high poverty levels and little access to education, is found in agriculture including  farming, fishing, coca and sugar cane production to name just a few.

Bev identifies Africa and South Asia as having the highest rate of child labour in agriculture, “although developed countries also see cases especially across migrant labour communities. This is invisible labour due to informal working arrangements and lack of regulation in rural areas. “

She identifies how the global demand for cheap inexpensive food encourages the use of cheap child labour.

“This starts at the top with the food retailers pushing down the prices throughout the supply chain. To end child poverty, we need to end adult poverty and to do this we need to stop the exploitation of workers in the sector brought about by the global supermarkets.”

Can members who don’t work in the food, farm, hotels, restaurants and fast-food sectors back the efforts of the IUF?

“Yes,” she replies. “They can actively take part in joint campaigns organised by the IUF, support global days of action, lobby for ethical standards, putting pressure on multinationals that often have head offices in the UK to adopt collective bargaining rights across the whole supply chain.”

https://www.iuf.org

Joint campaigns currently include

Safe Workplaces for Fast Food Workers

https://www.iuf.org/safe-workplaces-for-fast-food-workers-now/

Growing Justice – Workers Fight for Good Jobs on Fyffes Farms

https://www.iuf.org/campaigns/fyffes/

Marriott Worldwide Workers Together

https://www.workersofmarriott.org

Coca-Cola’s Human Rights Violations

https://www.iuf.org/campaigns/coca-cola-campaign/

 

GROUNDS FOR CHANGE Top quality soil is vital for the UK’s food future, says Unite expert

 

GROUNDS FOR CHANGE

Top quality soil is vital for the UK’s food future, says Unite expert

UniteLANDWORKER WINTER 2024

As someone who sees himself as a shop steward for the land, Charlie Clutterbuck, Unite’s own soil scientist, would like Britain to mirror recent EU developments by introducing a sustainable soil directive.

Healthy soils form the base for 95% of our food, host a quarter of the world’s biodiversity and are the planet’s largest carbon pool. So, with soil being a limited resource that is often in poor condition then securing its long-term health is vital for all our futures.

When the EU 2007 Soil Framework Directive collapsed under pressure from the NFU and a Labour Government in hoc to major building companies not willing to rectify contaminated land, Britain having lots of it from our industrialised past, then it cut hopes of a soil policy that carried some weight.

Opposition continued. When the Lords passed a proposal by former Labour Environment Minister Lord Whitty for an amendment to the Tories’ Environment Bill to add ‘soil targets’ to water and air targets, the Johnson government subsequently rejected this by promising a Soil Health Action Plan instead.

“That has been quietly dropped down the drain along with around 2 million tons annually of our best grade 1 and 2 arable land in the East, “ explains Charlie, “and as we can’t grow it back then it means we will increasingly rely on imports going forward.”

Much of the EU faces similar problems and has now sought to defend its soils by introducing a soil monitoring law that aims to bring about a comprehensive monitoring framework for an assessment of soil health whilst developing sustainable soil management practices. The general approach is to be centred on tackling soil sealing and soil destruction whilst member states will be required to identify all potentially contaminated sites, before mapping them in a public register.

Charlie believes “we should proceed down a similar path. It won’t be easy because whilst there is a bit of Single Farming Initiative money to individual UK farmers to encourage healthier soil the application is complex and the results difficult to determine.”

Under the EU proposed directive plans the ultimate aspirational objective is to have all soils in a healthy condition by 2050, in line with the EU Zero Pollution ambition.

“We should study the EU plans and seek to follow them,” contends Charlie who is concerned that the UK has no similar targets or plan and no overall research direction or body responsible.

“The soil is our very thin skin of the earth which could be doing so much more to grow crops here in ways that can reduce climate change impacts through carbon storage, reduced surface temperatures and water holding.”

Rural buses backed in major report - Unite drivers provide essential lifelines

 

Rural buses backed in major report

Unite drivers provide essential lifelines

uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024 

For the big accountancy company KPMG to back investment in public services then it is an indication of how important local buses are to communities across the UK, especially in rural areas.

Their latest report “The Economic Impact of Local Bus Services” on behalf of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) makes just a case. All of which should prompt transport secretary Louise Haigh (*) and local authorities to expand bus services, especially in underserved rural regions where public transport remains a lifeline.

The report highlights how every £1 invested in bus priority measures achieves £5 in economic benefits.

Rural bus passengers meanwhile generate £7.1 billion in local economies through spending on retail, leisure, and commuting services. Services also support employment and education, are crucial in reducing social isolation, promote volunteering and provide health access.

Unite bus workers working across rural communities understand how important their services are.

Cath Mawson is the Unite branch secretary for Yorkshire Coastliner, part of the global group Transdev, which operates local and regional bus services in North and West Yorkshire including travels between Leeds and the Yorkshire coastal towns of Scarborough and Whitby taking villages along the way.

The 840 route runs from Leeds to Whitby and serves many small villages including Goathland, well known for being the location for Heartbeat.

Travellers gaze out on fields, streams, windmills, farmhouses, horses, ducks, geese, sheep and cattle as well as caravan parks and small-scale housing. It is beautiful, especially on a sunny, slight chilly day. One stop is just a quarter of mile from Flamingo Land.

“We carry a variety of travellers, enabling journeys to work & college. With the introduction of the £2 fare(*) , passengers travel further for work,” says Cath.

This is confirmed by Melanie, aged 17, and Joe Bentley, who both make the 86-minute journey from Pickering to York to study hairdressing at college and psychology at university respectively. Neither can yet drive.

“There is a college bus but on days when I don’t need to be there early I can take the public bus at just £2,” states Melanie.

Bentley adds: “It is very affordable, at £2 a trip.  I currently attend university on 3 days a week. When I finish I hope to do a job that helps people.”

Cath continues: “Our Coastliner route exceeds three hours passing through many rural villages, supporting tourism. We are a lifeline for people lacking their own transport.

“We may have relatively few passengers, but they rely on us to do their shopping and attend medical appointments because we are the only affordable way to travel. “

Cathy, a former teacher, has been a Unite steward for three years. as says she welcomes the “opportunity to help and support members and to get their voice heard with management.”

Cath is also involved in wage negotiations which have this year raised pay to £15.73 an hour with rates set to rise to £16.28 in 2025.

We met Brenda Lees who is an 840-bus regular. “I am hoping that my dentist check-up will show I don’t need any treatment.”

And Laura, who is prevented from driving due to a rare syndrome, moved to her parents’ house in Thornton Le Dale 30 years ago for “a few months but stayed because it is beautiful and public transport is good”

Coming back from the Co-op in Pickering, she adds: “Shopping there is affordable, but only because I can use the bus rather than having to pay for a taxi.”

Two years ago, the Malton-Whitby part of the 840 route was under threat of being withdrawn in April 2023. A local campaign was immediately and collected over 1,300 signatures in a few days.

BBC Look North news interviewed Cathy Morgan, was part of the fight to save the service. She was left with epilepsy as a result of a stroke. “Like my other elderly neighbours, I rely on the bus, which today I am using to make part of a journey to York, getting off the bus at Malton and getting the train as it is quicker, to make sure I am on time for an important appointment. I also use the buses for social activity like trips to the coast.

“We are fortunate to have the buses and the drivers are also warm and welcoming,” explains Cathy, who was delighted when the campaign stopped any reduction in the 840 service.

According to Cath, “for the older generation especially, social interaction is often an important part of their journey. They see regular drivers as a friendly face who they can have a chat with.

“This interaction is vital for people who may live alone in quite isolated places. The ability to leave the house and interact with others is a massive positive for mental health.”

To enhance these services the CPT report advocates targeted investment in rural buses.

Cath agrees. “Rural bus journeys always risk being cut on cost effective grounds. But their value goes way beyond the financial by allowing people freedom to participate in everyday life.

That includes passengers such as Christopher Heriot, who uses “the bus a lot for days out to Scarborough and York to have some fun and to catch the sea and sunshine.”

 

Says Cath: “Support is imperative to ensure bus operators continue to operate. Bus drivers see the positive impact our service makes with people living in these villages and it is a privilege to know we are making a difference to their daily lives.” 

The Rural Services Network have backed the report’s conclusions with Chief Executive Kerry Booth stating “we must ensure rural communities are not left behind. Investing in better bus services is critical to unlocking rural prosperity and helping rural communities.”

(*) Information correct at time of interview

ANOTHER SIDE OF OUR HERITAGE Once, at the heart of industry, was mining

 

ANOTHER SIDE OF OUR HERITAGE

Once, at the heart of industry, was mining

National Coal Mining Museum, Caphouse Colliery. Overton, Wakefield WF4 4RH

As it’s free to enter the National Coal Mining Museum, formerly Caphouse Colliery and Hope Pit in the beating heart of Yorkshire, visitors don’t need to dig deep. Local young schoolchildren and old are guaranteed as warm a welcome as the coal fires that long before central heating systems provided glorious relief from the cold outdoors. 

Hauling, from hundreds of metres underground, millions of tons of combustible carbon rich black rock powered the technologies that enabled the first ever industrial revolution that had a profound beneficial impact on people’s lives. But extraction was never easy, depending on the coal seam thickness and geology. It all helped breed a unique band of brothers, whose safety meant sticking together in difficult circumstances.

This is clearly demonstrated when helmeted visitors, whose requested donation of £7.50 is well worth it, descended in a small cage underground. The 140-metre drop was massively exceeded by most of Britain’s underground coal mines.

Enthusiastic, experienced ex-miners act as tour guides.  From the off Andy Clayton, who was one of the last working miners, clocking off when Kellingley Colliery, Britain’s last working pit, closed in 2016, is keen to recapture the miners’ experiences. Their numbers peaked at 1,190,000 – 5 per cent of the total male UK workforce – after WWI. Despite the dangers Andy loved being a coal miner “due to the craic and friendships forged.”

He was delighted when he began working at the NCMM a year ago. “I like trying to keep coal mining heritage alive especially for youngsters who don’t know what is coal but which combined with steel built this country.” Andy is also pleased to welcome many ex-miners as visitors.

The underground trail that follows begins by returning to before 1844 when women and children under ten were banned from working underground. This was the first time that the owners of capital had been prevented from doing exactly as they wanted and came just two years after the first ever General Strike by over a million workers nationally.

A father is seen digging out the coal using a pick, the mother shovels the coal into a heavy wagon and shoves it hundreds of yards for it to be taken to the surface. On route their infant daughter opens and closes the trap door being used to prevent the spreading of noxious gases.

Fortunately, things improved over the succeeding years. Andy explains how wooden props to keep the roof up were replaced by hydraulic ones and bars.

Extracting coal went from “using hand tools and then drilling and blasting and then finally we got modern machines.” All of which can be viewed on the hour-long tour that includes models of pit ponies that after 1844 were used to pull coal to the shafts to be transported to the surface. “Miners loved them.”

During Andy’s time at Kellingley there were three fatalities. Similar tragedies took place elsewhere.

This is brought home by former school teacher Nicola Harrison, a keen volunteer within the colourful Mining Lives Exhibition that is one of the many galleries that tell the story of coal mining.

At aged 16 Nicola lost her father Edward Finnegan in 1973 at Lofthouse Colliery. There is a display board that stands as a permanent reminder of this tragedy in which he was one of six men killed following flooding. Their bodies have never been recovered.

 “Such stories, especially as later on the miners were vilified in the press, need telling as does the work of the rescue groups, the WWII Bevin Boys and the mining communities. My favourite item is of a piece of metal from a conveyor belt that melted due to the heat. It highlights how tough and brave miners were.”

A point highlighted by Mexborough’s Gary Price who despite having worked extensively in industrial mining admitted he had prior to going underground at the NCCM “no idea how hard an industry, especially at the start, coal mining was. It was why my dad, whose own father died due to lung dust – Pneumoconiosis - stopped me joining him at the colliery. I had a great experience on the tour. The guide was great.”

Christine explains that the exhibition on the year-long 1984-5 Miners’ Strike, which Andy, like the majority of miners stayed out for, has been well attended. This despite some criticism for featuring strike breakers as well as those who stayed out for the year and others who returned before the end.

Arthur Brown was “enjoying” what he was seeing including photographs by Martin Jenkinson, the official NUM photographer who later worked for the TGWU and Unite. Martin died in 2012.

“I was a pit electrician for twenty years and stayed out in 1984-85. I visit the museum quite regularly. There are often new things displayed. I especially like looking at the machinery I worked on.” On being made redundant, Arthur became a South Yorkshire Police Officer, serving 20 years.

The NCCM helps visitors discover the lives of inventors and innovators crucial to improving mining techniques whilst the mechanics of mining can be explored by visiting restored colliery buildings such as a blacksmith’s workshop, pumping, winding and compressor houses.

On a much smaller basis but just as essential was the introduction underground of canaries.

“They helped warn of the danger of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide underground that the miners could not smell or taste. The alerts gave miners time to evacuate,” explains volunteer Peter Bailey.

A memorial garden to which some Unite members have contributed also provides a poignant spot to spend time remembering former miners which, personally, includes my relatives Joseph Charlton, 42, and Robert Noble, 45; killed at Easington Colliery in May 1951.

Our visit to the NCMM was best summed up by radiographer Steven Aitchison, a trade unionist from Edinburgh. “You get an amazing insight into how coal was mined. The guides bring that to life. It is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll have from visiting a museum.”   

 

AN ENTIRELY AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT Unite result for forestry member in exploding rifle horror

 

AN ENTIRELY AVOIDABLE ACCIDENT

Unite result for forestry member in exploding rifle horror

Article from uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024

A wildlife ranger for Forestry Commission has praised the support she has received from Unite in her successful four-year battle to highlight and obtain a six-figure compensation package for significant injuries she sustained when a malfunctioning rifle exploded.

She now hopes that with Unite’s support to eventually return to work where given the opportunity she hopes to be elected as a union rep.

Beth, (*) who had worked for Forestry England since 2018 and completed two years training, was working in Kielder Forest, Northumberland on 9 December, 2020. She had become concerned that the rifle moderator, used to reduce noise and recoil, she had been lent by her line manager was fused shut.

“It had not been serviced that year,” says Beth, who had immediately raised her fears, and “after approximately, 15 shots it blew up in my face.” The outer housing of the moderator/silencer had fractured from the pressure of shot propellant gases.

Terrifyingly, the explosion sent sheared metal and gases back towards Beth’s face. Several significant injuries were sustained as a result, causing permanent damage to her left eye and a perforated eardrum. She is still suffering from headaches and tiredness.

“All of this was an entirely avoidable incident, which could have been even worse,” states Beth. It was horrific enough that she was left badly injured but Forestry England, which manages over 150 forests in England, did not know what first aid Beth required when she managed to get back to her depot.

Then “they drove me to an A&E that was over an hour away rather than calling 999.” This failing was multiplied when she was left to drive home alone with concussion. Partly due to COVID, Stacey’s diagnosis took some time during which she again lacked management support.

Following her terrifying ordeal, Beth turned to her union for backing. Legal support was obtained from workplace injury law experts Thompsons Solicitors. The circumstances of the incident and how more could have been done to protect Beth were established

A firearms specialist provided advice and support to her legal team, led by Fiona Smith, arguing that the moderator was defective under the Employers’ Liability (Defective Equipment) Act 1969. This was a piece of legislation passed over half a century ago as a result of long-running pressure from the trade union movement. Employers are required to fully insure their staff for all health and safety risks, and are encouraged to put in place preventative measures.

The Bill was sponsored in a Private Members’ Bill by Scottish Labour MP Mr Hugh D Brown, described as the last ‘Red Clydesider’, who said at the time: “This is a small Bill but it is a useful piece of social reform to assist and protect ordinary workers in factories,” and fields and forests.”  

It is a powerful example of the trade union and labour movement working together politically for the benefit of workers.

Although Forestry England denied liability, Thompsons were able to secure a significant, six-figure payment for Beth. The funds provide some security moving forward as she accesses the ongoing therapy and care required for her continued rehabilitation. Her physical wellbeing remains damaged.

 “I have made a lot of progress, but there is still a long way to go,” explains Beth, who remains absent from her job.

The Unite member is though not ruling out returning as a wildlife ranger. “From the start my FC rep Neil Grieve was in touch and has continuously looked after my interests.

On Beth, Neil is “really pleased Beth has got a positive outcome and her personal injury claim was so successful. The treatment she is having is making such a positive effect. She is a lot better than she was when I first knew her.”

Yet Grieve remains puzzled why the HSE has not investigated the case and why the manager involved has not been disciplined.

Beth recalls: “Unite backed me through every HR meeting, helped negotiate workplace adjustments and supported me during the case with my solicitors with both organisations arranging appointments with medical specialists whom have diagnosed and recommended treatment. I would never have been able to afford this without the union.”

She wants to ensure that similar avoidable incidents do not re-occur. “I remain concerned regarding the Personal Protective Equipment issued or not to Wildlife Rangers. We need better safeguards.”

By bravely raising awareness of her case, Beth should help UNITE put ongoing pressure on the FC management to ensure safety measures are boosted.

But the best outcome would surely be Beth’s return to full health and back to the job she clearly enjoyed.

And for her final wish to come true. Which is, “to become a UNITE rep so I can help others and make them aware there is someone on their side.”

·         Name changed to protect privacy

 

 

 

RURAL HOMES SHORTAGE Unite housing workers highlight rural living crisis

 

RURAL HOMES SHORTAGE

Unite housing workers highlight rural living crisis

RURAL HOMES SHORTAGE

Unite housing workers highlight rural living crisis

An article published in UniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024

Whilst welcoming a new report highlighting the critical factors affecting rural affordable housing supply, Nick Auvache, Unite Housing Workers Branch  organiser, believes the proposed solutions fall well short of what’s required to correct a massive housing shortage.

Only 9% of housing stock in rural communities of less than 3,000 residents consists of affordable homes, compared to 17% in urban areas.

Trent and Dove and Rural Housing Solutions “There’s a Will – Here’s the Way’ report draws on extensive interviews with 11 Registered Housing Providers, including strategic and non-Strategic Partners.

The findings reveal that a willingness to develop rural housing is blocked by financial viability, extra rural-specific costs like finding builders locally and planning delays, often caused by a lack of planning teams.

The solutions proposed are better grants, support for local authorities and rural housing enablers for developments of fewer than 15 homes, a dedicated rural champion in Homes England to ensure 10% of affordable homes are built in parishes of less than 3,000 people plus simplified and consistent planning policies.

“Building any housing is no small thing, especially rurally,” states Auvanche.

“The semi-public sector should be praised for their efforts. But such is the widespread national shortage of affordable houses everywhere that we need public led solutions that will require extensive new funds.”

He highlighted that between 2019 and 2022 an additional 46,318 persons registered for social housing in rural areas whilst only 5,953 social rented homes were built.  

As such, small developments are not going to solve the problems which, believes Auvache, are wrongly being largely attributed in the media in rural locations to the rise Airbnb, which he views instead as a symptom of the crisis.

Meanwhile, private house builders want the government to raise incentives, which means they’d be guaranteed profits, to build more rural private homes that won’t be affordable for local people who will be forced to leave.

Auvanche wants “those proposed government funds to instead help build council houses alongside the necessary infrastructure such as roads, schools and community facilities to allow residents, especially the elderly, children and disabled, to fully participate in society or otherwise these rural idylls become hellholes.

“Also being a council tenant enables residents to have some democratic control over their living accommodation.”

According to Defend Council Housing a new programme of council house building across rural communities should also include the repairing and refurbishing of existing council housing, the requisition of empty homes and the abolition of the right to buy. It would all be part of planning for the people and the planet, not solely for developers’ profits. Public funds would also provide a much-needed boost for jobs and local economies.