Housing
Home Office admits 'more we can and need to do'
More needs to be done to share data and improve communications with councils, Home Office mandarins have admitted.
Thousands of refugees face homelessness at Christmas, LGA warns
The Government’s push to clear the asylum backlog is putting ‘tens of thousands’ of refugees at risk of homelessness over Christmas, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Making sure accountancy stays rewarding and exciting
'Technology and social value are with us now, but we are reacting, not leading. We need to start planning to use it to retain and attract talent', says Michael Hudson.
Autumn Statement: what lies behind the promises?
Despite a few helpful announcements from the chancellor in relation to cost of living and hospitality the reality is the overall outlook for Westminster residents remains difficult, says Cllr Adam Hug.
Dealing with the issues of isolation
Natasha Langleben questions how many councils know how to apply to the Accelerating Reform Fund for Adult Social Care and asks if a portal promoting partnerships would help boost grant applications.
Councils welcome PWLB rate extension
Councils have welcomed chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to extend preferential Public Works Loan Board borrowing rates for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) expenditure.
True collaboration will be key to the success of devo in Surrey
Cllr Tim Oliver says Surrey CC is looking forward to working with the Government and local partners to ensure all residents can feel the benefit of a Level 2 County Deal.
Climate action’s delicate high-wire act
Jonathan Stephenson says reaching net zero is a monumental task that demands unity - a coming together of local authorities, the private sector, universities, and communities.
DLUHC defends homelessness monitoring
Mandarins have denied they do not have a clear picture of homelessness levels among Ukrainian refugees.
Fewer than 100 homes for refugees are occupied
Fewer than 100 homes acquired using a fund to support English councils obtain housing for those fleeing conflicts have been occupied, according to the latest figures.
Autumn Statement: Level 4 devolution unveiled
More powers will be offered to areas with a level 3 devolution deal, the Government has announced as part of the Autumn Statement.
Autumn Statement: Housing benefits unfrozen
Housing benefits for private renters are set to increase as Jeremy Hunt confirms the uprating of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in autumn statement.
Councils set out Autumn Statement priorities
The Government is facing calls to provide emergency funding for children’s social care in this week’s Autumn Statement.
How Extra Care housing can help local authorities transform lives
Kris Peach shares the lessons learned from working with North Yorkshire Council to expand Extra Care housing for older people across the county over the past 20 years.
Getting ready for the big procurement shake-up
Guy Stapleford of Procurement for Housing looks at how buyers can get their communication right and their local authority ready for the new procurement regulations.
Watchdog proposes planning reforms
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has drawn up proposed reforms to the planning system.
Getting Britain building homes
We need to devise a system which ensures housing is built and we can provide the right mix of homes to meet the unique needs of local communities, says Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen.
Ending the uncertainty
The North could reap the benefits of a focused long-term industrial strategy for meeting net zero, explains Ryan Swift.
'Slim pickings and missed opportunities'
Baroness Sharon Taylor reflects on the King's Speech, and says it's time to stop leaving councils to pick up the pieces on their own and give them the powers to take back control.
Housing minister among casualties of Sunak reshuffle
The UK will have its 16th housing minister in 12 years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s sweeping reshuffle affected the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
