• THANK you for the excellent report highlighting the plight of key workers on the Cumberland Market estate, whose rents are being jacked up by their landlord Peabody, (Protest at Peabody HQ over housing association’s 9 per cent rent rise, March 21).

We do, however, wish to challenge the statement made by the Peabody spokesperson who claims that the rent increases represent “…decent value for money”.

Is it “decent” to:

— Increase rents by up to 9.4 per cent when inflation is currently at 3.4 per cent?

— Dramatically increase rents during a cost-of-living crisis when families are struggling to feed and keep themselves warm and add to growing numbers in poverty?

— Target key workers in the public sector who have either had no increase in their pay or have had below inflation pay awards since 2010?

— Increase the rent rise to the maximum allowed under the London Living Rent?

— Force families to move out of their community, schools, and local networks to less expensive parts of the country?

— Evict families who cannot afford to pay the rent increases and cast them into homelessness?

— Expect the taxpayer to subsidise these rent increases through increased housing benefits that go to the landlord?

— Cause a shortage of teachers, firefighters, nurses, paramedics, and other key workers in Camden and the rest of London because they can no longer afford to pay such high rents?

To do the “decent” thing Peabody must cancel the rent increases and freeze rents now. We call upon our Member of Parliament, the leader of Camden Council, local ward councillors, and the Mayor of London to support our campaign and oppose this shameful rent hike.

GERALD DERMODY
Cumberland Market Management Committee