Lewisham is one of the poorest boroughs in England with the highest rate unemployment for 16 to 24 year olds, high rents and overcrowding. People are constantly faced with worries such as:

Can you afford a decent place to live?

Has the job you want been outsourced to China/Bangladesh?

Can we afford to keep the NHS in its present form medical?

Is austerity the only way we can we fix the current financial crisis and recession?

What about global warming? Can we shift away from fossil fuels quickly enough to prevent a catastrophe?

Tackling these involve three great world crises: economic and financial; environmental and the crisis of increasing poverty and inequality; and that means thinking about economics.

I’ve organised a series of seven discussions. Each week I will lead off with an introduction that will challenge the version of economics that is put over in the media. The rest will be up to you.

If you're interested get in touch with me, George Hallam,

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mobile: 07972223353

Friday 3rd May

Surveyors start work

Surveyors for Lewisham Homes visited all the occupied houses today with the co-operation of our occupiers. This is the first concrete step in getting these houses refurbished and let to homeless families.

Wednesday 27th March

Work to start soon on renovating occupied houses!

After months with no apparent progress on the 5 houses occupied by People Before Profit in February 2012 (see below) our occupiers were suddenly served with eviction papers and court cases for 22nd and 25th March.

We contacted the council and local press and pointed out that it was a waste of money to pay court fees as we had always said we would co-operate and move our occupiers out when work was ready to start. A quick email to the three "not-for-profit" Social Enterprise Companies who were in the frame for the work revealed that they WEREN'T about to start work and had heard nothing from the council since November.

We were very pleased, therefore, to be invited to a meeting with Lewisham Homes Chief Executive Andrew Potter and his Director of Property, Mark Agnew.

The meeting was very productive and held in an atmosphere of trust and goodwill and Lewisham Homes agreed that it would be beneficial to keep the houses occupied until they were ready to start work on each house.

Thursday 31st May

MAYOR and cabinet agree to refurbish occupied houses!!

A member of Steve Bullock's cabinet confirmed this afternoon that a decision had been taken last night to abandon the plan to sell off 6 or 7 houses of which 5 have been occupied by People Before Profit since February.  The houses will be refurbished using local tradespeople and include apprenticeships.

The full details have yet to emerge, but there is no doubt that it is only the persistence of our campaigning that has persuaded the Mayor to reject the advice of his senior officers who recommended selling off the houses quickly at auction.  Questions are being asked about why the reserve prices were so low, well below market value, when council's have a duty to do the best by council-tax payers.

More news on this story when we get it.

Our first family moves in...

Monday 5th March 2012

20,000 leaflets explaining our occupation were distributed all over the borough of Lewisham in the 10 days leading up to the council meeting on 29th February.  We heard from several families who wanted to move into the house in Angus Street (see below) and the council failed to nominate anyone from among the families in temporary accommodation, so we have agreed with a family of two parents and three young children that they can move into the house.  Of course we have explained that it is possible that they will be evicted if the council chooses to apply for a court order for repossession.

We'd like to thank Tina and Lloyd for the kind donation of a gas hob and extractor hood which have been installed - the electric oven is now at 81 Etta Street enabling our occupiers there to cook a wider range of meals.

BBC London News covered the story fully on Friday 2nd March at 1.30pm and rather briefly at 6.30pm. Radio London Drive Time did a live interview with John Hamilton at the Angust St house.

The People Before Profit monthly meeting in March heard a presentation from SocioCapita Community Interest Company who would like to work jointly with Phases to refurbish the other houses on behalf of the council, using local workers and involving training of people who ned to learn skills and gain qualifications.  If we like the proposal we will make a joint approach to the council offering this solution.

Council refuses to talk

Friday 24th February

Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Housing, has refused to meet us to discuss the future of the occupied houses. Meanwhile we are installing a bathroom at 7 Angus St and will be inviting the press in on Monday. Do you know a family on the housing list that would like to move into a

3 bedroom family house in New Cross

overlooking Fordham Park and 5 minutes walk from New Cross or New Cross Gate stations?  Reasonable rent, to be negotiated, but not more than 30% of full-time wage.  Available from Tuesday 28th February. Viewing Saturday and Sunday or by appointment at other times - please text 07806 545 279 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Progress in housing campaign:

Monday 20th February

Since blocking the sale of 5 family homes on Monday 13th Feb 2012, we have been active in making the houses comfortable to live in while we negotiate with the council about who will refurbish them to standards where they can be rented out to families on the council waiting list.

61 Lampmead Road was the untidiest of the houses and it has suffered from subsidence and settlement over the decades as have many houses in the borough of Lewisham.

We had a visit from a structural engineer yesterday and he thought that underpinning would not be necessary as the flank wall is not bulging.

Have a look at this short video and see the progress we've made.

Please sign the online petition at:

www.change.org/petitions/defend-lewishams-council-housing

We will be leafletting throughout the borough this week.  If you can help with that, please send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To see the rest of the housing story go to http://peoplebeforeprofit.org.uk/lewisham/lewisham-pbp-news

Thursday 31st May

MAYOR and cabinet agree to refurbish occupied houses!!

A member of Steve Bullock's cabinet confirmed this afternoon that a decision had been taken last night to abandon the plan to sell off 6 or 7 houses of which 5 have been occupied by People Before Profit since February.  The houses will be refurbished using local tradespeople and include apprenticeships.

The full details have yet to emerge, but there is no doubt that it is only the persistence of our campaigning that has persuaded the Mayor to reject the advice of his senior officers who recommended selling off the houses quickly at auction.  Questions are being asked about why the reserve prices were so low, well below market value, when council's have a duty to do the best by council-tax payers.

More news on this story when we get it.

Sunday 19th Feb 2012

ALL FIVE HOMES NOW BEING LIVED IN

Following a mass action at Lampmead Road we have now reinstated hot water and cleared the house and garden of rubbish.  There's still a bit more cleaning to do today (Sunday) so come along and help between 11am and 3pm.

Then we will have some people living in the house full time who will make further improvements, such as relaying the floor in the bathroom, then refitting the bathroom with an upstairs toilet.

81 Etta Street now has hot water, making that the first of our five houses where the occupants can have a hot bath.

7 Angus St is almost ready for a family currently being put up in expensive B&B accommodation to move into - we just need to refit the bathroom there, which was converted into a childrens toilet area when the house was used as a nursery.

Thursday 16th Feb 2012

VICTORY to People Power - 5 family homes saved as council houses following our occupation last weekend.

In a bid to stop 5 family houses being sold off at auction on Monday 13th February activists entered and peacefully took control of the houses earmarked for "disposal" by Lewisham Council.

All of them would be suitable for family's to rent if they were refurbished, one only needs a lick of paint and the installation of a bath or shower - someone could move in there tomorrow!

There are around 50 families in Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the moment, paid for by us, the council tax payers. A further 350 are in hostels and around 1000 families are in temporary accommodation here in the borough of Lewisham.

With such a shortage of affordable homes for rent is it a disgrace that the council is considering selling off these homes, and with reserve prices way below current market levels.

The Evening Standard was the first to report the story: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24034965-sit-in-bid-to-scupper-council-house-sales.do , followed by BBC London at 6.30pm and BBC TV News. By Tuesday ITN was covering it along with most newspapers. http://www.itv.com/london/lewisham-homes-pressure26161/

If the council won't live up to its responsibilities in refurbishing them Lewisham People Before Profit will consider taking on that task, employing and training unemployed people from our borough to fit new bathrooms and kitchens where necessary.  There will also be carpentry and plastering work.  All the roofs are in good repair.

We have contacted Lewisham's Housing Department to arrange a meeting and explained our position to the borough valuer.

Our sympathies do go to those people who were interested in buying the houses and repairing them - we did report the occupation to the police on Saturday evening giving the council and the auctioneers plenty of time to withdraw them prior to the sale and saving you the time and trouble of going to the auction today.  We are not opposed to people owning their own homes - but we don't agree with rented housing being reduced even further.

COME AND HELP THIS WEEKEND

at 61 Lampead Road, Lee Green, SE13 when we will be clearing the most untidy of the houses we now occupy.  We already have a plumber and an electrician to make sure that the water and electricity are safely reinstated, but we need help clearing junk and replacing the French windows which are currently in the garden.  11am till 3pm, Saturday and Sunday.  Lunch provided along with tea/coffee and camaraderie!

CAN YOU DONATE THE FOLLOWING:

Carpet, electric cooker, table, beds.

Would you be willing to pay for a hot water tank for Albyn Rd (£150) an electric shower for Friendly St (£66) an immersion element for Etta St (£16). We can fit these things for free to get hot and cold running water at all the houses.

To donate money please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and use the details on the standing order form or bring cash or a cheque (made payable to Lewisham People Before Profit) to Come the Revolution Cafe for the housing fund.

We now have people in all 5 of the houses and will produce a new video showing the cleaned and occupied houses after Sunday's clearup at 61 Lampmead Road.

Here's the poster we have been distributing to explaining our actions:

Network Arts began 16 years ago. Over that time it has touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people with its holistic approach. It is an arts project for people living in Lewisham who have severe and enduring mental health support needs. It enables people to develop in a positive and creative way by providing supported structured activities in a safe environment.

Each member can work on outlining their goals and objectives in an action plan. Network Arts includes a mosaic workshop, screen printing group, picture framing group, creative writing group, and a creative crafts group. We also take on commissions from businesses and the public.

We are funded by South London and the Maudsley NHS Trust but they intend to close the project on 6th January 2012. We have been told that we can remain for 6 months in the Lee centre but without staff. One of our members is considering asking for a judicial review because we have not been correctly consulted with and have never officially been told that the project is closing. It is felt that the way the process has been handled is also against the Disability discrimination Act and a number of members are seeking legal advice.

SAVE LADYWELL ARENA 

Labour votes for Cuts, Liberals abstain, only Green and Tory councillors oppose budget

Hundreds of people held a rally outside Lewisham Town Hall on Monday night (29th November) before the council meeting that would approve a budget for the coming year. The peaceful gathering heard speeches from local activists from various groups - all united in their opposition to New Labour's plans to cut jobs and services in Lewisham.

Only a dozen or so people were let in to the public gallery leading to a mass call to be let in to observe the proceedings.

The public were then shepherded out following a fire alarm and then allowed back in for a few minutes, before

Wednesday 8th May

Deptford Labour Party held a marathon

meeting to discuss whether to call on their new councillor to resign for not being honest with the party and the voters. Labour party sources said the meeting went on until 11.45pm and that the majority of councillors thought that their councillor should resign but that the local party group in Deptford were standing by her.

Meanwhile Lewisham People Before Profit decided to start a petition among residents in Evelyn Ward to call upon Olufunke Abidoye to resign.

Monday 15th April

Shock revelation about Labour's new councillor - will there be a rerun of Evelyn election?

News shopper has reported that Olufunke Abidoye, who won the recent election, has been suspended from her job as a midwife since last October - but failed to tell the electorate that she was being investigated for serious professional misconduct.  She appears not to have told her Labour party colleagues either.  See NEWS SHOPPER for further details.

Many voters complained about the fact that all three Labour councillors elected in 2010 were Nigerian and were amazed that a fourth Nigerian was selected following the departure of Joseph Folorunso who failed to attend meetings for six months.

Freday 29th March

23% vote for Barbara Raymond of Lewisham People Before Profit candidate in the Evelyn Bye-Election on 28th March 2013

Labour won the bye-election with 978 votes, LPBP got 404, Lib Dems 131, Tory 119,  UKIP 119.

This gives us a solid base of support to work from to make progress in the local elections in 2014.  We have made many good contacts with people who are fed up of the neglect of the area by their local councillors.  We have heard allegations of corruption and incompetence and will be doing what we can to help the people of the area cope with the problems they face.

We are now saying Thank You to all the people of Evelyn who voted for Barbara, and those who didn't, and inviting them to our next monthly meeting which will be held in Evelyn Ward on 29th April, at Sayes Court Clubroom, 341 Evelyn Street at 7.15pm.