Special Edition – The Labour Conference, what was discussed for our sector?
The Labour Conference 2024
In this special edition we are bringing you all of the latest from The Labour Party Conference 2024, which highlighted significant policy commitments aimed at addressing ASB, housing, and broader societal challenges. As this is the first Labour conference as the sitting government, we thought that a deep dive into what they brought to the table with regards to our sector would be useful for you – and we will of course share the highlights from the other party conferences as they are published. The question is, does Labour’s agenda signal a determination to tackle key issues or simply policies which make headlines but not impact?
1. ASB and Community Safety Initiatives
Labour reiterated its commitment to safer streets, with Keir Starmer promising more neighbourhood police officers, a crackdown on knife crime, and enhanced public safety measures. This was part of the broader pledge to rebuild public services and make streets safer, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that communities feel the impact of these changes through clear, measurable outcomes.
Starmer also underscored the need for an “NHS facing the future,” as well as thriving town centres and secure borders. While specifics on ASB initiatives were less detailed, the focus on bolstering community policing suggests a commitment to active engagement in reducing ASB
Topics to Note
Respect Orders: A notable policy introduced by Labour was the plan to implement “Respect Orders,” which will grant authorities new powers to ban persistent adult offenders from town centres and address issues such as public drinking and drug use. This measure aims to provide law enforcement and local authorities with a more robust toolkit to handle recurrent ASB offenders, ensuring that habitual offenders face tangible consequences for their actions.
Increased Police Presence: Labour committed to putting 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs back on the streets to ensure visible policing in town centres. This initiative, alongside the Respect Orders, is designed to help restore public confidence in community safety and reduce ASB incidents.
Janine & Darren’s Thoughts:
It will be interesting to see what the detail will tell us about the purpose and benefit of Respect Orders. The ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 already provides a suite of tools to tackle serious, non-residential nuisance and criminality, and it is not yet clear what gap these orders intend to fill or problem they seek to solve. It is also not certain whether the Government will consult practitioners on these orders, something we believe to be incredibly important. For this reason, we will be using time at our #ASB10 Conference to gather feedback from colleagues in order to share views with the Home Office and seek to influence the development of the Respect Order.
2. Housing and Renters Reform
Housing policy took centre stage, with Labour reaffirming its mission to build 1.5 million homes by 2025, with a strong focus on social and council housing to tackle the housing crisis. This approach could alleviate overcrowding and housing instability, both of which are factors contributing to ASB. However, while this ambitious target reflects a strong political will, experts highlighted concerns about the practicalities of meeting such a target, considering issues like skills shortages and planning complexities. Key figures like Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner emphasised the need for Labour to address housing challenges, reiterating their intention to support renters and first-time buyers while maintaining a strong stance on increasing housing supplies.
Labour confirmed its intention to abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions as part of its Renters Reform Bill, aiming to provide renters with more security and stability. Angela Rayner emphasised Labour’s commitment to providing affordable and secure housing, ensuring that tenants are not subjected to sudden evictions or substandard living conditions.
Janine & Darren’s Thoughts:
The abolition of Section 21 evictions has the potential to reduce housing-related ASB by offering tenants greater stability, reducing stress, and allowing them to become more integrated into their communities. For ASB professionals, this could mean fewer disputes arising from unstable housing situations. However, it also requires careful management to ensure landlords remain engaged in maintaining their properties responsibly. Whilst this will bring about much needed stability for many residents in the private rented sector, lots of ASB cases are unrelated to tenure and still need to be managed effectively. It is therefore important for landlords to work in partnership with local agencies to increase their knowledge, address issues at the earliest possible stage and achieve positive outcomes for victims
3. Mission-Led Government Approach
The Labour conference emphasised a “mission-led government” approach, with a focus on cross-departmental collaboration to achieve broader societal goals, including safer communities. This could facilitate more cohesive efforts in tackling ASB by ensuring that policies on housing, policing, and community services are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
4. Support for Small Businesses and Infrastructure
Labour plans to address late payment issues for small businesses, aiming to protect them from financial difficulties that can contribute to the decline of town centres and, consequently, increased ASB. In addition to this, infrastructure investments, including the introduction of energy-efficient ‘Zero Bills’ homes, aim to rejuvenate communities and reduce the triggers for ASB by creating more sustainable, vibrant, and supportive neighbourhoods.
Janine & Darren’s Thoughts:
Labour’s planned comprehensive approach to supporting small businesses and infrastructure could indirectly reduce ASB by promoting economic vitality in communities. A thriving town centre is less likely to experience high levels of ASB, as it tends to foster greater community engagement and pride. As we are seeing an increase in commercial businesses seeking our support, we predict that this will be welcomed, but the question as to whether it goes far enough will be heavily discussed in the coming weeks among retailers and the hospitality trade.
Janine & Darren’s Round Up
It was a busy conference with a lot of messages to unpick and decode! The Respect Orders, increased neighbourhood policing, and housing reforms announced at the Labour Party Conference 2024 were designed to represent a robust and comprehensive strategy to tackle ASB, however it is not clear yet how these initiatives differ from the current suite of tools we have in place. While the proposed measures could hold promise for creating safer, more stable communities, the success of these policies will rely on effective implementation, adequate funding, and ongoing collaboration between local authorities, law enforcement, and ASB professionals.
Labour’s promise of increased neighbourhood policing is a positive step towards dealing with ASB, and professionals can expect an uptick in community safety initiatives. However, the practical challenges of recruitment, funding, and efficient allocation of resources will be critical to realising this vision. Looking to the future is a key part of our agenda at this years #ASB10 Conference – and we have the last few tickets remaining, will we see you there?