News from Labour Matters

New development only going ahead because of Labour’s investment

Itchen MP John Denham has welcomed work officially starting on the £500m Centenary Quay housing development in Woolston; but is reminding people that the project is only underway due to investment from the Labour Government.

Mr Denham said: “Investing money in the construction industry to make sure projects like Centenary Quays went ahead was at the core of Labour’s strategy for keeping Southampton’s economy going during the recession. This investment kept builders in jobs as well as making sure city families have the housing they need.

“It’s good to see the foundation stone is being laid, but Eric Pickles needs to recognise that the cuts he is making to house building across the South will put people out of work and make it harder for families to find somewhere to live.”

The last senior Conservative to visit Southampton was David Cameron, when he confirmed to the Daily Echo there was “no doubt” the city’s Building Schools for the Future programme would go ahead under a Conservative Government; a promise which has since been reneged upon.

Mr Denham continued: “When David Cameron visited during the election he told us we’d be getting our Building Schools for the Future. I think we should take this opportunity to challenge Mr Pickles to go back to his Party leader and demand that he follows through on that promise.”

Other news from Labour Matters

• Southampton Labour release alternative 'Budget for Fairness' - 6 February 2012
• "Bleak unemployment figures are bad news" says John Denham - 12 October 2011
• Westminster Council to cut Taxicard budget by £500,000 a year - 11 August 2011