LUHC Committee
Government not even close to ‘rescuing’ social care
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee said billions of pounds ‘urgently’ needed to be injected into the system to meet both short-term and long-term needs.
Half of Right to Buy homes replaced
There were 10,878 homes sold under the Right to Buy scheme in the 2021-22 financial year, while just 5,089 replacement properties were bought or started.
LGA concern over support for refugees
Concerns over capacity to support refugees in the coming months have been raised by the Local Government Association (LGA).
EXCLUSIVE: Ministers pile pressure on councils to find homes for Afghan refugees
Councils are struggling to find permanent homes for refugees from Afghanistan as ministers pile on the pressure.
Gove dismissed planning 'centralisation' claim ahead of sacking
Michael Gove defended proposed planning reforms against charges they would ‘radically centralise’ the system in one of his last comments before being sacked.
Government seeking solution to homeless refugees
Refugees minister Lord Harrington hopes to place homeless Ukrainian families with sponsors, a committee of MPs has heard.
Planning reforms will ‘erode public participation’
MPs have warned the role of councils and the public in planning are under threat from the Government’s proposed overhaul of the planning system.
Open to devolution – but not too much
Heather Jameson says: 'What’s not to love about a politician being honest and signing up to fiscal devolution? Absolutely nothing – but I will wait to see what he actually delivers.'
Gove: Levelling up will need fiscal devolution
Levelling up will never truly happen without fiscal devolution, Michael Gove has admitted to a group of cross-party MPs.
Safeguarding fears raised over Homes for Ukraine scheme
Senior council officials want greater powers to safeguard Ukrainian refugees amid fears revised national guidance still leaves some people vulnerable.
Ministers resist calls for further care funding
Councils should not rely on Government grants to fund social care, ministers have said.
Government to strengthen community role in planning
The Government has made clear it intends to strengthen the role of communities in new planning legislation.
Social housing Bill 'imminent'
Housing minister Eddie Hughes this week insisted the Government would bring forward a social housing Bill ‘as quickly as possible’ as he apologised for delays.
Levelling up must go beyond 'big ticket' projects
Efforts to level up communities must be felt at a local level for the policy to be viewed as a success by the public, politicians have been told.
Call for infection control fund investigation
A call has been made for an investigation into how the infection control fund was spent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing ombudsman reports dramatic complaints increase
A dramatic increase in complaints has been reported to the housing ombudsman service, MPs have been told.
Government needs to 'get a grip' on council tax rebate, says Betts
The Government needs to ‘get a grip’ on the council tax rebate scheme, the chair of the levelling up select committee has said.
Call for tougher regulation of exempt housing
Councils have shared concerns some providers of ‘exempt’ accommodation are exploiting the sector as ‘a licence to print money’.
Local authorities will be able to top up council tax rebate
Local authorities will be able to pay households facing financial hardship more than the council tax rebate, the Government has agreed.
Marsham Street to cut funding pots
The Government will reveal its plans to streamline funding for councils this year after acknowledging a ‘patchwork of fragmented funds’ has emerged.