Rents – The Problem That Won’t Go Away
Just wanted to expand on something I mentioned in my last post. As I think back to a speech given by Boris Johnson in June 3 years ago. Here was a Conservative Prime Minister openly talking about the 10’s of Billions going to buy to let landlords. Now 3 years later, Boris is off doing what he is doing, and rents have risen a great deal in that time. So, housing support cost is now far higher and cuts are required. But it also raises other concerns for me as a long-term patient. Knowing only too well, there are so many different staff playing an important role in hospitals. The Royal London Hospital that has looked after me for over 30 years for example.
The porter who wheels me down to theatre, as I have a life changing transplant. The cleaner that cleans around the bed I have left behind, doing important jobs. The Nurses that would wake me up in the morning, to take my blood pressure. The list is endless, and I could keep going until I reach the surgeons and all the theatre staff. I have the upmost respect for all of them, having met so many over the years. The point being a hospital is a perfect example of where rents & living costs are so important for all of the staff. If they struggle to pay the bills, that will have a knock-on effect on them and their mental health. As well as the running of the hospital, any staff shortages and possible effects on patients.
Rents In London
Rents in London are now at shocking levels, rising all the time. The average rent in London varies but let’s stick to what a worker in a hospital might pay. That is now on average, between £1500-over £2000 per month, higher than the national average. The hospital porter earning £26736, based on a quick search of a vacancy in London. The take home pay after tax and NI on that salary is around £1897. So, it’s not difficult to see where most of the wage will be going and the issue of disposable income. The problem that could cause the worker, for his or her family.
Rents will need to be addressed for several reasons, including around sustainability. But think about what it could do to our NHS hospital and wider services. The knock-on effect on the individuals themselves, as well as on patients. I will leave it to experts to come up with the formula required to work out what rents should be. But I do think there will need to be some kind of formula going forward now. The problem of rents is not going away and yet seems to be ignored. Not every one will own a home, that includes workers in hospitals. The wonderful people from all walks of life that I have met over the years in hospitals. Some of the nicest people you will meet, are those that have little and will rent a small place.
Fair rent and a decent wage helped me as an individual, I nearly did portering myself after my transplant. But no matter the worker doing that important job in a hospital. If rents are not addressed for those workers and for wider society. If could have devastating consequences for hospitals and for patients. As well as the cost to taxpayers and councils, who must pick up the bill to fund temporary housing. What happened in the local elections, is not just about the winter fuel payments and so on. This is about Labour and moving away from the working class and ignoring rents. As well as doubts that were already there before the general election, let alone the local elections. Fair rents need to come back, for the greater good of society, as they have been ignored by all political parties.
