Rents have shot up by 14% but the government’s latest package offers nothing. There is no rent freeze, no ban on eviction and not even a promise to increase social housing.
The government is doing nothing to help with mortgages. Over 100,000 loans have been sold off to vulture funds who are charging excessive interest rates of 6.5%. Thousands more are facing increases of up to €2,000 a year.
If the government really wanted to tackle inflation, they could have:
· Frozen rents and set up a system whereby tenants could apply for reductions.
· Ordered banks to cut profits rather than pass on interest hikes.
· Force vulture funds to cut interest rates.
But this right-wing government only gives out once-off payments. They cut back on public services and try to penalise individuals.
Changes in excise duty on petrol and diesel could mean that people pay an extra €10 every time they fill up. Many have no choice because of a failure to develop free public transport.
Meanwhile, government policy of intervening in the Ukraine war as well as climate change is helping push up food prices.
But this government refuses to bring in price controls on either energy or food.
We need to get back on the streets in big protests. And we should tell our unions – put in for real pay increases.