SHADOW Housing Minister Jack Dromey visited Cinderford last week and promised tenants there that he will take their concerns about the 'bedroom tax' back to the House of Commons.

Jack Dromey was taken on a guided tour around the town by Two Rivers Housing Association and Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, where he met with tenants and went to see and learn about how Two Rivers Housing is supporting the local regeneration programme.

He was particularly interested in viewing the developments at Turley Court where homes there were among the first to be built with energy efficient devices such as solar panels.

Liz Reeson, Communications Manager for Two Rivers Housing, said: "Mr Dromey was very impressed with our developments within the area and especially at Turley Court which was a flagship project for us."

Afterwards he went to the former Ensors abbatoir site on Valley Road where 92 houses are being built – 37 of which belong to Two Rivers- to see how the regeneration scheme is expanding.

Liz continued: "He was really interested in the regeneration work that we have been doing in Cinderford. We are encouraged by the support that Mr Dromey gave to our work and his enthusiasm for seeing regeneration in action in rural areas."

A burning issue at the moment is the controversial 'bedroom tax' which has sparked widespread concern among tenants in housing association. Mr Dromey popped along to meet Marian Northfield in St Briavels, who was keen to express the impact that the changes in benefits will have on her.

Liz said: "Mr Dormey is very much against the 'bedroom tax' policy and is adamant that he intends to use comments from our tenants, who are affected by the 'bedroom tax/subsidy', when he raises the issue in the House of Commons. All in all it was a very insightful visit."