Asbestos has been found in two of Oxford City Council’s flats at Preacher’s Lane. Exposure to the fibres of this material can cause lung cancer. The council assures us that reports that “there is no danger from asbestos", but there is more to the story than they would like us to believe.

According to the Oxford Mail, “Jason Davis, of Preacher's Lane, was concerned when his house filled with dust after his windows were replaced, but has now been reassured that the particles were not dangerous.” In fact, when I spoke to him, Mr Davis was far from ‘reassured’ . He lives with his partner and young children in the flats, and was told that the level of asbestos in the air in his kitchen was only just below the "safe" limit at 15.5. As he put it, "I was told if it was 20 or above we would have to evacuate, and this is five weeks after the windows were replaced -- I dread to think what the levels were then."

This is not the first time Oxford tenants have been exposed. In 2001, asbestos was found in council fats in Foresters Tower in Headington. That time, the then Lib Dem / Green controlled council was accused of covering up the scare, suppressing news of the find for a week. Labour councillors – then in opposition – understandably kicked up a fuss. But how much is the Labour council doing now to protect its tenants?