Plans to raise rents for 'high-earning' social housing tenants
Philippa Roe, Westminster council's cabinet member for housing, has claimed that there is "currently no policy in place to increase rents" for social tenants in Westminster earning more than £50,000. In a statement issued on Monday, Councillor Roe admitted to considering an overhaul of the rental system enabling local councils to have greater say in setting rates, which are dictated by government. Paul Dimoldenberg, a Labour councillor, attacked the plans, claiming, "Westminster Conservatives are more concerned with increasing the council's revenues than building successful and thriving local communities. Putting up rents is just another way for the Conservatives to increase taxes for middle earners and will push many hard working residents out of Westminster. "
£30m for families trapped in abandoned streets
Housing Minister Grant Shapps announced plans yesterday to help "isolated families" after The Housing Market Renewal plan failed, leaving many people living in abandoned streets when demolitoj programmes stall. Local governments will have access to £30m, to be used alongside local government funding, to propose and develop new, more practical regeneration plans. The scheme will focus on five of the worst hit areas: Merseyside, Teeside, North Staffordshire, East Lancashire and Hull.
Public criticise government's green credentials
A YouGov poll has discovered that nearly two-thirds of the public think the government should be taking greater steps to make it more simple and less expensive for homeowners to improve their energy efficiency. The poll comes after the Chancellor, George Osborne, reduced requirements for low-carbon homes in this year's budget, a move which will help developers meet targets for green, affordable homes. The energy bill is being discussed by Parliament, where MPs are under pressure to strengthen measures to ensure the government meets its carbon emission cuts target of 80% by 2050.
