Lib Dems slam housing provider for cutting cost-of-living support in restructuring plans

Trafford's Liberal Democrat Councillors have blasted proposals from social housing provider L&Q which could see job losses across the organisation's welfare advice, energy advice and debt support teams. 

Councillors Shaun Ennis and Julian Newgrosh took aim at L&Q - who took over the former Trafford Housing Trust in 2023 - for axing jobs that "provide valuable support to Trafford residents during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis." 

Trafford Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Shaun Ennis said, "It's unthinkable that at a time where the cost-of-living is spiralling, an organisation as important as L&Q would scale back the support it offers to our residents in this way.  We've written to Trafford Council's lead member for Housing calling on the council to join us in publicly opposing these cutbacks and asking her to set up a meeting between L&Q representatives and elected councillors so that we can explore alternatives and protect services that exist to support our residents." 

The Liberal Democrats also pointed to commitments made by L&Q at the time of their takeover of Trafford Housing Trust that the party argues have now been broken.  

Fellow Timperley Central representative Councillor Julian Newgrosh said, "L&Q made a very clear commitment that standards and services in Trafford would not be lowered to the level of the wider L&Q organisation.  They stated that Trafford Housing Trust was providing a level of service that they wanted to copy.  These cutbacks represent a broken promise. We are opposing them because L&Q's staff currently provide an excellent service.  It is something our residents need more of, not less of." 

According to information seen by the Liberal Democrats, L&Q's debt advice service may be relocated to a call centre in Birmingham, removing the option for face-to-face advice and support which tenants in Trafford can currently access.  The Liberal Democrats point to the fact that L&Q posted an 'operational surplus' of £377 million last year.  

Councillor Shaun Ennis said, "Providing welfare, energy and debt advice at current levels is something L&Q can clearly afford to do.  There is a bigger question at stake here about whether social housing services are run in the interest of tenants, or whether they are run in the relentless pursuit of profit."