A Visit to the Purple House

Today, I’ve been to visit the Purple House, a women’s centre in Hull.

I was incredibly impressed by the range of services they offer to women. Their philosophy is to help any woman that comes through the door, however  big or small her problem. So although much of their work is related to helping women suffering from domestic abuse, they also help people with training, benefits, housing, sorting out bills, and so on. They provide a huge amount of support from a relatively small building.

The women I have met who volunteer or access services there have told me how purple house has increased their confidence. It was great to hear stories of people who were in desperate need of help, who have confronted their problems, built their confidence, found work, and now volunteer to help others.

And the purple house is impressive in its drive to become self-sufficient in its funding. They have so many fundraising projects on the go. One project provides housing for women and children in crisis and escaping domestic violence, from a stock owned or managed by the women’s centre and which therefore provides a funding stream too. And on this note, if you need an ethical investment opportunity that also does some good, then maybe this is for you!?

More information can be found at www.purplehouse.co.uk

Not all 24 year olds are the same

Cameron’s suggestion today that housing benefit should be stopped for everyone under 25 is an example of poor policy, based on generalisations. It appears to be based on a stereotype of how people live, or should live, i.e. that if you’re under 25 you can live with your parents. Whilst it may make sense for some people, there are so many people for whom this would not work. For example, what about if you’re currently entitled to housing benefit due to being in low paid work, but not living anywhere near your family; what if you don’t have any family, or were brought up in the care system; what if your parents have decided to live abroad but you don’t want to; what if neither parent has enough room in their house, and so on....

One of the reasons I came into politics initially was a frustration with a system that fitted people into boxes, and failed to see people as individuals. For me, a policy of refusing housing benefit to anyone under 25 would do just this.

I became frustrated with policy ‘boxes’ when I was 28, and applying to do an MA. Many of the grant application forms asked me how much money my parents earned. I was not impressed with the question. I didn’t know how much my parents earned, nor did I want to know. It was none of my business, and certainly not the business of the people asking the question. It felt as though I didn’t fit the ‘box’ of someone applying for funding straight from university, and so was being ruled out on that basis.

I’ve noticed that much of the comment on the housing benefit story so far has referred to families, children, married couples, etc. But many people don’t fit into that ‘box’. There seems to be an assumption that people will live at home until they get married. If policy is made based on stereotypes from the 1950’s it will only restrict young people, discourage them from taking risks and innovating, trying new things and creating their own lives independent of their parents.

Policy needs to be made in a way that appreciates everyone’s different circumstances. Something that boxes a whole group of people together like these housing benefit proposals, and treats them all the same, is only going to lead to weak policy with unintended consequences.

Supporting business in Hull

Last week was business week in Hull, and I really enjoyed attending some of the events to support local business. It is one of the biggest events like this in the country, and it was great to see so many people involved in business wanting to invest in the region, and take advantage of some of the great opportunities in our area.

Sometimes it’s too easy for business to be labelled as the ‘bad’ guy, interested only in profit. But there was plenty of evidence over business week of businesses willing, and in fact eager, to give back to their local communities. Local businesses need our support. They are, after all, where many local jobs come from, and as such a core part of what we need to improve the local area.

There was much talk, of course, about the opportunities linked to the development of the wind farm industry in this area. It was good to hear from people already making the most of these opportunities, and those planning to be part of the supply chain. There was also positive talk about what will happen once the wind farms have been built, and the longer term opportunities such as maintenance.

The big challenge, of course, is whether Hull manages to make the most of the opportunities out there. There is a once in a lifetime opportunity with the investment of Siemens, and it is essential everyone involved does all they can to ensure we make the most of it.

So it was good to hear hopeful messages from local businesses keen to make the most of the opportunities out there. They deserve our support for all their hard work, which ultimately benefits us all.