The housing minister, Grant Shapps, has admitted that house prices in Britain have become “too unaffordable”, following a report warning that the housing market is in crisis as home ownership falls and property prices soar.
But the minister insisted that government plans would get “Britain building again” as he outlined a number of measures, including planning reforms and a release of thousands of acres of public land, designed to increase the number of homes built.
Chief Executive Alex Thomson reponds to the Government’s announcement today that four local authorities will pilot a Social Impact Bonds scheme.
Four councils are to pilot innovative arrangements to fund intensive help for families with complex needs, minister for civil society Nick Hurd has announced.
Up to £40m could be raised by four social impact bond pilots, launched in Hammersmith & Fulham LBC, Westminster and Birmingham city councils and Leicestershire CC, the minister said .
We have finalised our events schedule for this year’s party conferences
Documents addressing a raft of thorny issues surrounding councils retaining their business rates have been published. The Department for Communities & Local Government has unveiled eight technical papers which senior council figures hope will clarify the implications of a localised business rates system for local government.
Prime minister David Cameron has announced plans to stop council tax and business rates payments for properties seriously damaged by the riots.
Sometimes, being a minister at the DCLG must feel like looking over the tennis net to see [this years Wimbledon champion] Novak Djokovic grinning back at you… a sinking feeling as you realise you just cant win.
Alex Thomson of Localis says Government plans are a big step in the right direction
The governments system for repatriating business rates could put public services in poorer areas at further risk, while richer local authorities may lack the necessary incentives for growth, Public Finance has been told.
In advance of today’s announcement by the government outlining their consultation on business rates reform, Alex Thomson, Chief Executive of local government think-tank Localis, said: “We are pleased that the Government are moving forward with plans for the local retention of business rates – this is a big step in the right direction. In the […]