THE PROBLEM
Research from Transparency International has shown that there is at least £1.5billion worth of property owned by Russian individuals accused of corruption or with links to the Kremlin in the UK. Many stand empty, hurting local businesses and communities.
Over 6000 properties are registered to foreign owners in Tower Hamlets, many to anonymous shell companies registered in tax havens
At the same time we have a housing crisis in London.
THE SOLUTION
We want to know who really owns and controls property in the City and Tower Hamlets, and then for investigators to go after the ill gotten gains and seize properties brought with corrupt funds. Those funds should be made available to help tackle our housing crisis.
In the next few months we have a chance to really secure property transparency. We want to work with grassroots networks and communities to demand action through the second economic crime bill which will tackle corruption and money laundering in Britain.
HOW CAN I HELP ?
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For too long, London has been the epicentre of Britain’s dirty money problem. We need to curb corrupt funds in London property, go after empty homes, and invest in desperately needed social housing.
We are calling on our Member of Parliament to ensure
- Transparency over who owns and controls property in the borough
- Investigators with teeth to go after corrupt funds
- Effective council powers on empty property
- Investment in supply of social housing
Email your local MP, we have listed their email addresses below and provided a pre written letter for you to paste into your email
Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster
[email protected]
Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow
[email protected]
Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse
[email protected]
EMAIL TEMPLATE
Dear
For too long, London has been the epicentre of Britain’s dirty money problem. We need to curb corrupt funds in London property, go after empty homes, and invest in desperately needed social housing.
We are calling on our Member of Parliament to ensure
- Transparency over who owns and controls property in the borough
- Investigators with teeth to go after corrupt funds
- Effective council powers on empty property
- Investment in supply of social housing
We believe that there is a chance to address this through forthcoming legislation. Will you call on the Government to prioritise the Second Economic Crime Bill in the Queen’s Speech and invest in genuinely affordable housing?
THE TEAM
RACHEL BLAKE
Deputy Mayor, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Sem Moema
London Assembly Labour Spokesperson on Housing
Unmesh Desai
Assembly Member: City of London and Tower Hamlets
KEY SUPPORTERS
- Sem Moema - London Assembly Labour Spokesperson on Housing
- Andy Rider - Stepney Dean of Mission
- Asma Islam - Tower Hamlets Labour and Co-operative Councillor
- Adam Allnut - Tower Hamlets Co-operative Party Secretary
- Kevin McKenna - Tower Hamlets Labour and Co-operative candidate