Construction union UCATT are warning that tenants of Victory Housing in North Norfolk are facing a "raw deal" after the housing association cut its maintenance budget.

Ten of the 50 plus maintenance workforce are being laid off. Although the workers are employed by contractor Jenkins Weir, the decision is due to a desire by Victory Housing to reduce costs. There is no evidence that the level of work needing to be undertaken has diminished.

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UCATT are concerned that the cut in staffing levels will lead to an increase in the backlog of responsive repairs and an increase in time it takes to bring void properties back into operation, which will impact on housing waiting lists. UCATT are also concerned that the already delayed project to replace fire doors, which contain asbestos, will be further postponed.

The redundancies have resulted in a loss of morale with the remaining workers becoming concerned about their futures.

Brian Rye, Regional Secretary for UCATT's Eastern Region, said: "Tenants in Victory Housing homes are facing a raw deal. Repairs will take longer and the number of empty homes will increase as a result of these unnecessary job cuts. If Victory Housing is serious about the needs of its tenants it must urgently rethink its budget cuts."

(CD/GK)