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January 23 2008
Review of private rented sector announced
A major review to improve the private rented sector was today announced by Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper.
With almost 2.6 million homes in England being rented from over half a million private landlords, Yvette Cooper has commissioned an independent review to look at what problems tenants and landlords face and what works well in the sector.
January 24 2008
New powers for councils to raise millions more to support new homes
Councils who back plans for new homes will be able to raise hundreds of millions of pounds to spend on vital infrastructure like roads, schools, parks and health centres.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper is today setting out how the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), will help fund massive new investment to sustain new homes, as part of the Government's drive to support quality neighbourhoods.
The Levy will give councils the power to set charges to pay for infrastructure when a new development takes place, which is expected to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds more for local infrastructure and services.
Under the current system, only 14 per cent of all residential planning permissions make any contribution to the cost of supporting infrastructure, and these generally cover the largest schemes. However, even minor developments generate a need for infrastructure and services in an area.
Ministers think it is right that all developments pay their fair share and those who benefit financially when planning permission is given should contribute back to the local community by funding local infrastructure. That's why the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has been included in the Planning Bill.
February 5 2008
More money to fight unemployment
Councils in the most deprived areas of the country are to receive additional funding to tackle the acute problems their communities face, Local Government Minister John Healey today confirmed.
The New Working Neighbourhoods Fund follows the former Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Deprived Areas Fund, and directs central government funding to areas facing greater challenges as a result of high levels of worklessness and low levels of skills and enterprise.
A total of 87 councils in the most deprived areas of the country will benefit from a share of £464.4m through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund in 2008-09.
March 2008
Consultation on sustainable communities
The Government has published a consultation on the Sustainable Communities Act.
The Act which received royal assent in October allows people to raise issues of local concern that require action by the Government. It recognises that local people know best what needs to be done in their area and provides them a channel through their local council to ask the Government to act.
Issues that can be raised cover any economic, social or environmental issue - from tackling anti-social behaviour or providing more affordable housing to ensuring vibrant town centres and quality parks and play areas.
May 14 2008
Draft Queen's Speech bills
The draft programme proposes a Community Empowerment, Housing and Economic regeneration Bill and a Business Rates Supplements Bill for the 4th session and a housing reform green paper, towards the end of the year.
At the heart of the Bill will be plans to give local people a bigger voice to shape local services and neighbourhoods; and give greater powers to regions in order that they have the tools they need to respond to the challenges they face and drive economic regeneration.
Alongside the Bill the Government will publish a housing reform green paper setting out proposals to provide housing services and options which help and encourage people towards greater economic independence and social mobility and to deliver greater fairness and make best use of our resources.
The draft legislative programme will also set out Government's intention to publish a Business Rates Supplement Bill which will give local areas greater powers to drive economic regeneration. The Bill will create a new power for the highest tier local authority in an area to levy a local supplement on the business rate and to retain the proceeds for investment in that area.
June 4 2008
Massive increase in wind power announced
The government has announced plans for a huge increase in offshore wind power. Up to 7,000 new turbines are hoped to be built by 2020, trebling the amount of power to be generated by wind farm projects currently under development. The Crown Estate, which owns the UK seabed, has agreed to invest up to 50% of the cost of obtaining planning consent for wind farm sites.
It is hoped the scheme will see the delivery of up to 25 gigawatts of electricity by wind power in 12 years.
June 6 2008
Olympic legacy will revolutionise sport
Following a meeting in Downing Street this morning, the Government revealed measures in its £140m Legacy Action Plan that include free swimming to all over-60s with a view to providing free swimming for all by 2012; getting two million people more active by 2012 through the new Sport England strategy; and overhauling the way that Sport England invests in sport through new relationships with national governing bodies to increase participation.
The meeting was attended by Sports Secretary Andy Burnham and Olympics minister Tessa Jowell as well as representatives from sporting and health bodies such as the FA, Lawn Tennis Association, Cycling England and the National Heart Forum.
June 26 2008
Massive increase in renewable energy announced
At the Government's Low Carbon Economy Summit, the Prime Minister announced a massive commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy. The Government plans to invest £100 billlion over the next twelve years to meet the "immense challenge". Tidal, solar and wind power will all have a part to play in the future.
Investment in renewables would bring an improvement in energy security due to more diverse supplies, a reduction in projected energy bills, and the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs and business opportunities, the PM said.
"And this is the biggest prize of all: the chance to seize the economic future - securing our prosperity as a nation by reaping the benefits of the global transition to a low carbon economy.
"For the fact is that, in the 21st century, the global low carbon economy will be a key driver of our economic prosperity."
Under today's proposals, the UK will extend and raise the renewable energy to encourage 30-35 per cent of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020.
July 16 2008
Rent now, buy later scheme to help housing needs
A "rent first, buy later" scheme is heading a series of measures which the government hopes will breathe new life into the housing market. The pilot project, being announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint, will be open to some in England with household earnings under £60,000. They would rent the property at a discounted rate for two or three years, with an option to buy part of it.
Ms Flint was also announcing that Barking and Dagenham, Newcastle, Nottingham and Manchester will be the first areas to run local housing companies for housing developments on surplus council land.
Community land trusts to help speed up house building
July 21 2008
A scheme to deliver more affordable homes for young families and first-time buyers is being set out today by Housing Minister Iain Wright. nder a new radical amendment to the Housing and Regeneration Bill being debated in Parliament today, new Community Land Trusts (CLT) will be able to cut the cost of getting on the housing ladder as buyers will only pay for the building, not the land, of a property.
CLTs puts communities in the centre stage in agreeing what land should be developed for, including building more affordable homes, as local residents and businesses participate in and take responsibility for planning and delivering development schemes.
Prime Minister launches green car revolution
July 22 2008
Gordon Brown has set out the Government's plans to kick-start a motoring revolution by driving the shift to low-carbon and electric cars in the the UK. This follows the Prime Minister's call on the EU last week to set tougher mandatory fuel emissions standards, such as cutting the average car's CO2 output per kilometre by 40 percent by 2020.
Suggested measures include:
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October 20 2008
More money to provide affordable housing
£13 million deal to buy unsold homes off the market to use as affordable housing is being announced today, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the housing market.
The deal is the first to go through the Government's new National Clearing House, which enables house builders to put forward offers to sell their unsold stock for use as affordable housing, and receive early feedback on whether their properties are suitable for purchase.
The funding will mean that 335 affordable homes will be available, mainly for social rent, on sites across the country for families who would otherwise be on waiting lists.
October 22 2008
World’s largest algal biofuel project
The government agency the Carbon Trust announced a project to make algal a commercial reality by 2020. The plan could see up to £26m spent on developing the technology and infrastructure to ensure that algal biofuels replace a signficant proportion of the fossil fuels used by UK drivers.
November 21 2008
Help for those facing home repossession
A new mortgage arrears pre-action protocol, introduced by the judiciary, came into effect this week and is designed to help those facing possible home repossession. Lenders will be expected to be able to demonstrate to courts that they have tried to discuss and agree alternatives to repossession when borrowers get into trouble with their mortgage repayments.
We have also expanded free legal representation in county courts for households at risk of repossession. In-court duty advice desk schemes currently operate in 202 county courts in England and Wales. These schemes provide support and guidance and can secure a positive outcome for home owners allowing many to remain in their home. All county courts now display posters giving details of free advice providers.
We are currently carrying out a phased limited rollout of the Housing Arrears Pre-action Scheme. This involves the court issuing a letter from the social landlord to tenants with rent arrears inviting them to attend a meeting with a local advice provider at the court before a claim is issued.
Commission Work Programme 2007
November 2006 report
August 2006 report
June 2006 report
Commission Work Programme 2006