Marc Francis
@marcfrancisth.bsky.social
Former Labour Party councillor for Bow East ward in Tower Hamlets
Important story here. It shows why it was so wrong to approve these 800 co-living flats without any on-site affordable housing in the first place. Also, LBTH's CEO + Monitoring Officer refused to investigate a claim Aspire's cllrs were 'whipped' to vote for it towerhamletsslice.co.uk/poplar/isle-...
Isle of Dogs developer seeks £35m cut to affordable housing payment | Poplar News | Tower Hamlets Slice
A developer behind an 835-home Isle of Dogs tower wants to cut its affordable housing contribution to Tower Hamlets Council by around £35m.
towerhamletsslice.co.uk
September 19, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Important story here. It shows why it was so wrong to approve these 800 co-living flats without any on-site affordable housing in the first place. Also, LBTH's CEO + Monitoring Officer refused to investigate a claim Aspire's cllrs were 'whipped' to vote for it towerhamletsslice.co.uk/poplar/isle-...
Reposted by Marc Francis
I have a short essay in this relaunched Progressive Review from @ippr.org, called ‘A Liberalism of Public Things’. Open access link below:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
September 18, 2026 at 8:23 AM
I have a short essay in this relaunched Progressive Review from @ippr.org, called ‘A Liberalism of Public Things’. Open access link below:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Marc Francis
More detail about the building in Poplar where a man died in a fire at the weekend:
- Building was fitted with combustible Hemsec insulated panels, which were non-compliant at the time of build (oddly described as 'inflammable' by the manufacturer)
peteapps.substack.com/p/a-fire-in-...
- Building was fitted with combustible Hemsec insulated panels, which were non-compliant at the time of build (oddly described as 'inflammable' by the manufacturer)
peteapps.substack.com/p/a-fire-in-...
A fire in Poplar
A fire at a building awaiting cladding remediation claimed the life of a man at the weekend. What do we know about this blaze, and what do we still need to know? PLUS - thoughts on the new PAS 9980
peteapps.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:37 AM
More detail about the building in Poplar where a man died in a fire at the weekend:
- Building was fitted with combustible Hemsec insulated panels, which were non-compliant at the time of build (oddly described as 'inflammable' by the manufacturer)
peteapps.substack.com/p/a-fire-in-...
- Building was fitted with combustible Hemsec insulated panels, which were non-compliant at the time of build (oddly described as 'inflammable' by the manufacturer)
peteapps.substack.com/p/a-fire-in-...
Just discovered that Manchester is setting a requirement for new development to include 30% affordable housing in its Local Plan.
If this figure works for Manchester, why have London Boroughs being told to reduce their requirements from 35% to 20% irrespective of viability of individual schemes?
If this figure works for Manchester, why have London Boroughs being told to reduce their requirements from 35% to 20% irrespective of viability of individual schemes?
September 16, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Just discovered that Manchester is setting a requirement for new development to include 30% affordable housing in its Local Plan.
If this figure works for Manchester, why have London Boroughs being told to reduce their requirements from 35% to 20% irrespective of viability of individual schemes?
If this figure works for Manchester, why have London Boroughs being told to reduce their requirements from 35% to 20% irrespective of viability of individual schemes?
Reposted by Marc Francis
Last week, the Electoral Commission published new data on donations to political parties covering the second quarter of this year, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, Reform UK continue to be fuelled by crypto investors and overseas businessmen. hopenothate.org.uk/2026/09/10/c...
Crypto investors and overseas businessmen continue to fuel Reform UK – HOPE not hate
Last week, the Electoral Commission published new data on donations to political parties covering the second quarter of this year. They reveal that, from April...
hopenothate.org.uk
September 11, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Last week, the Electoral Commission published new data on donations to political parties covering the second quarter of this year, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, Reform UK continue to be fuelled by crypto investors and overseas businessmen. hopenothate.org.uk/2026/09/10/c...
Reposted by Marc Francis
Delighted our Social Housing Bill passed its Second Reading this week.
At its heart are radical reforms to the Right to Buy to protect precious social rented homes and incentivise the building of more of them.
The Bill also gives greater protections to tenants who are victims of domestic abuse.
At its heart are radical reforms to the Right to Buy to protect precious social rented homes and incentivise the building of more of them.
The Bill also gives greater protections to tenants who are victims of domestic abuse.
September 11, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Delighted our Social Housing Bill passed its Second Reading this week.
At its heart are radical reforms to the Right to Buy to protect precious social rented homes and incentivise the building of more of them.
The Bill also gives greater protections to tenants who are victims of domestic abuse.
At its heart are radical reforms to the Right to Buy to protect precious social rented homes and incentivise the building of more of them.
The Bill also gives greater protections to tenants who are victims of domestic abuse.
Well done to @thlabour.bsky.social's Cllr Shubo Hussain for listening to Fish Island residents' concerns and voting against this application. Any good in this scheme is far outweighed by the loss of sunlight to their homes. Inevitably, the Aspire Party's cllrs voted for it. The Green cllr abstained!
Utterly predictable but still terrible to see Tower Hamlets Council planners recommend the approval of 280 co-living flats in Wansbeck Road. This scheme does not conform to existing policy on heights in Fish Island and significantly reduces sunlight/daylight to neighbouring homes + amenity space
September 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Well done to @thlabour.bsky.social's Cllr Shubo Hussain for listening to Fish Island residents' concerns and voting against this application. Any good in this scheme is far outweighed by the loss of sunlight to their homes. Inevitably, the Aspire Party's cllrs voted for it. The Green cllr abstained!
Reposted by Marc Francis
Only in a field including Justin Webb could this guy have been the centrist. The John Roberts of the Today programme.
September 10, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Only in a field including Justin Webb could this guy have been the centrist. The John Roberts of the Today programme.
Reposted by Marc Francis
🏠 Local Housing Allowance is back in the headlines off the back of Conservative Party plans to cut it by a further £4 billion. But what is the reality of housing support today? 🏠
September 10, 2026 at 4:30 PM
🏠 Local Housing Allowance is back in the headlines off the back of Conservative Party plans to cut it by a further £4 billion. But what is the reality of housing support today? 🏠
Reposted by Marc Francis
Timms Review has published draft recommendations today - really welcome transparency.
Will share longer form thoughts in the next few days but they're a mixed bag: great to see a lot of things we've all been calling for, but also some clear longer-term dangers.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Will share longer form thoughts in the next few days but they're a mixed bag: great to see a lot of things we've all been calling for, but also some clear longer-term dangers.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The Timms Review: co-chair update, September 2026
www.gov.uk
September 10, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Timms Review has published draft recommendations today - really welcome transparency.
Will share longer form thoughts in the next few days but they're a mixed bag: great to see a lot of things we've all been calling for, but also some clear longer-term dangers.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Will share longer form thoughts in the next few days but they're a mixed bag: great to see a lot of things we've all been calling for, but also some clear longer-term dangers.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Marc Francis
On the urgent task of stopping nationalists, pumped with Maga propaganda and Kremlin money, conniving against liberal democratic Europe www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
European democracies are running out of time to turn away from the abyss | Rafael Behr
Far-right parties, Maga ideology and Kremlin money are conniving to suffocate liberal idealism for another generation, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2026 at 9:25 AM
On the urgent task of stopping nationalists, pumped with Maga propaganda and Kremlin money, conniving against liberal democratic Europe www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Marc Francis
Awaab’s Law gives tenants stronger accountability over their homes.
Now we want to see that in practice, and ensure social landlord and Housing Associations are held to account where action isn’t being taken🏡
Now we want to see that in practice, and ensure social landlord and Housing Associations are held to account where action isn’t being taken🏡
September 9, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Awaab’s Law gives tenants stronger accountability over their homes.
Now we want to see that in practice, and ensure social landlord and Housing Associations are held to account where action isn’t being taken🏡
Now we want to see that in practice, and ensure social landlord and Housing Associations are held to account where action isn’t being taken🏡
Reposted by Marc Francis
New free to read link as.ft.com/r/f15cad1d-1...
September 9, 2026 at 5:09 PM
New free to read link as.ft.com/r/f15cad1d-1...
Utterly predictable but still terrible to see Tower Hamlets Council planners recommend the approval of 280 co-living flats in Wansbeck Road. This scheme does not conform to existing policy on heights in Fish Island and significantly reduces sunlight/daylight to neighbouring homes + amenity space
September 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Utterly predictable but still terrible to see Tower Hamlets Council planners recommend the approval of 280 co-living flats in Wansbeck Road. This scheme does not conform to existing policy on heights in Fish Island and significantly reduces sunlight/daylight to neighbouring homes + amenity space
Reposted by Marc Francis
Gordon Brown is absolutely right. Solidarity and community matters - and so do the institutions that allow us to stand together.
Thatcher deliberately and consciously did everything possible to undermine that workplace solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thatcher deliberately and consciously did everything possible to undermine that workplace solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Youth clubs, trade unions, pubs: here's how Burnham can fix Britain's social recession | Gordon Brown
From volunteering to the WI, we have lost so many ways to meet our neighbours. Making that easier can only be good for society, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Gordon Brown is absolutely right. Solidarity and community matters - and so do the institutions that allow us to stand together.
Thatcher deliberately and consciously did everything possible to undermine that workplace solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thatcher deliberately and consciously did everything possible to undermine that workplace solidarity.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Marc Francis
September's Children & Youth Bulletin is here.
Join this month's Children & Youth month's forum & the THCVS Health & Wellbeing Forum: 2 great chances to connect & shape support across Tower Hamlets.
+ Funding, family support, opportunities for young people, news & jobs.
Read more ➜ bit.ly/4yquej9
Join this month's Children & Youth month's forum & the THCVS Health & Wellbeing Forum: 2 great chances to connect & shape support across Tower Hamlets.
+ Funding, family support, opportunities for young people, news & jobs.
Read more ➜ bit.ly/4yquej9
September 9, 2026 at 7:09 AM
September's Children & Youth Bulletin is here.
Join this month's Children & Youth month's forum & the THCVS Health & Wellbeing Forum: 2 great chances to connect & shape support across Tower Hamlets.
+ Funding, family support, opportunities for young people, news & jobs.
Read more ➜ bit.ly/4yquej9
Join this month's Children & Youth month's forum & the THCVS Health & Wellbeing Forum: 2 great chances to connect & shape support across Tower Hamlets.
+ Funding, family support, opportunities for young people, news & jobs.
Read more ➜ bit.ly/4yquej9
Reposted by Marc Francis
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects.
The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
September 7, 2026 at 9:45 PM
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects.
The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
Thanks to the teams at Chisenhale Art Place, our very own resident DJ Tom + all the volunteers for putting on a brilliant street party this weekend. It was great to catch up with neighbours + see the kids playing in the streets. Tower Hamlets Council should do more to support these community events
September 9, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Thanks to the teams at Chisenhale Art Place, our very own resident DJ Tom + all the volunteers for putting on a brilliant street party this weekend. It was great to catch up with neighbours + see the kids playing in the streets. Tower Hamlets Council should do more to support these community events
Really disappointing to hear York Hall leisure centre will remain closed for at least another month. Kids swimming lessons are now seriously disrupted. Meanwhile, Tower Hamlets Council keeps charging 'Be Well' members for a service they haven't been able to access for nearly 3 months. #NotBestValue
September 3, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Really disappointing to hear York Hall leisure centre will remain closed for at least another month. Kids swimming lessons are now seriously disrupted. Meanwhile, Tower Hamlets Council keeps charging 'Be Well' members for a service they haven't been able to access for nearly 3 months. #NotBestValue
Just heard about this Local Govt Ombudsman investigation into systemic maladministration + poor decision-making by LBTH's Homeless Services. Despite raising similar concerns during my time as a cllr, we were never told about the actions required in this judgment. Hundreds of local families affected
August 23, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Just heard about this Local Govt Ombudsman investigation into systemic maladministration + poor decision-making by LBTH's Homeless Services. Despite raising similar concerns during my time as a cllr, we were never told about the actions required in this judgment. Hundreds of local families affected
So happy to hear a homeless family I helped before the election has now finally got the permanent social home they need and deserve. However, it isn't right that it takes a cllr's intervention to cut through maladministration + poor decision-making currently endemic at Tower Hamlets Housing Options
August 22, 2026 at 9:34 AM
So happy to hear a homeless family I helped before the election has now finally got the permanent social home they need and deserve. However, it isn't right that it takes a cllr's intervention to cut through maladministration + poor decision-making currently endemic at Tower Hamlets Housing Options
Just seen the only change to latest planning application to redevelop Bow Wharf is 20% affordable housing instead of 15%. The idea this is all that is viable from 66 canal-side flats in Mile End Park is risible. It shows why Angela Rayner should scrap Steve Reed's policy in places like Tower Hamlets
August 21, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Just seen the only change to latest planning application to redevelop Bow Wharf is 20% affordable housing instead of 15%. The idea this is all that is viable from 66 canal-side flats in Mile End Park is risible. It shows why Angela Rayner should scrap Steve Reed's policy in places like Tower Hamlets
Reposted by Marc Francis
Out Now: QUIET RIOT B SIDE!
We are joined by @rachelblakemp.bsky.social to talk HOUSING CRISES PLURAL.
🏡 Supply problems
🏚️ Quality issues
🛌 Rough sleeping
And much much more!
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4dtw...
We are joined by @rachelblakemp.bsky.social to talk HOUSING CRISES PLURAL.
🏡 Supply problems
🏚️ Quality issues
🛌 Rough sleeping
And much much more!
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4dtw...
B-Side: The Last Housing on The Left
Podcast Episode · Quiet Riot · 21 August · 52min
podcasts.apple.com
August 21, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Out Now: QUIET RIOT B SIDE!
We are joined by @rachelblakemp.bsky.social to talk HOUSING CRISES PLURAL.
🏡 Supply problems
🏚️ Quality issues
🛌 Rough sleeping
And much much more!
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4dtw...
We are joined by @rachelblakemp.bsky.social to talk HOUSING CRISES PLURAL.
🏡 Supply problems
🏚️ Quality issues
🛌 Rough sleeping
And much much more!
🍏 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q...
🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/4dtw...
Good explainer here why @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social's effort to get Govt to hold underperforming housing associations to account are so vital.
For a decade, the 'Regulator for Social Housing', covered-up the systemic failures of Clarion Housing, leaving many tenants' homes in serious disrepair
For a decade, the 'Regulator for Social Housing', covered-up the systemic failures of Clarion Housing, leaving many tenants' homes in serious disrepair
SHAC Article: We Can End the Conspiracy of Silence: Join MPs’ Call for Action
shaction.org/2026/08/20/w...
shaction.org/2026/08/20/w...
Social Housing Action CampaignWe Can End the Conspiracy of Silence: Join MPs’ Call for Action
By SHAC and Lindsay Bush Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and a cross-party group of MPs have blasted the Government’s lack of housing association accountability, writing to the Housing Minister, Angela …
shaction.org
August 21, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Good explainer here why @bellribeiroaddy.bsky.social's effort to get Govt to hold underperforming housing associations to account are so vital.
For a decade, the 'Regulator for Social Housing', covered-up the systemic failures of Clarion Housing, leaving many tenants' homes in serious disrepair
For a decade, the 'Regulator for Social Housing', covered-up the systemic failures of Clarion Housing, leaving many tenants' homes in serious disrepair