Denham: 'Huge Cuts to CLG Budget Will Hit the Poor Hardest'

People in the "greatest need" will bear the burden of paying off the record levels of debt left by Labour, a Government minister has said. Faced with condemnation of more than £1 billion of cuts to local government funding in England, Bob Neill said tackling the "economic mess" was the first thing that needed to be done in order to provide sustainable public services. Former communities and local government secretary John Denham said the "huge cuts" would hit the poorest hardest. Mr Neill was drowned out by uproar from Labour benches as he replied: "Those in greatest need ultimately bear the burden of paying off the debt..." CLG Secretary Eric Pickles has given details of the £1.166 billion reductions in grants to local government. The £29 billion "formula grant was not being reduced this year. Mr Pickles said where revenue grants had been reduced no local authority would face a cut of more than 2%. The CLG and its quangos would face a cut of 10% in its running costs for 2010-11. CLG also confirmed the £100 million in-year cut from the national affordable housing programme. The savings will be made from programmes where funding has been ‘announced but not yet allocated’. The department also confirmed a further £50m cut – which has also already been announced – will be made to the Kickstart scheme to get stalled developments off the ground. Read details of the allocations and the transcript of Eric Pickles’ speech on the CLG website.

Denham Challenges Tories Over Tenancy Changes

John Denham MP has laid down a challenge over proposed rent increases and reduced rights for tenants for the Conservative Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP, as he visits Southampton Itchen today (19 March). Plans have been hatched by leading Conservative councillors and party strategists to make major changes to the rent and rights of council and housing association tenants. Notes from the secret meeting say that tenants in council and housing association housing should have their rent increased by 100% and lose rights. Mr Denham said: "My question to Grant Shapps is simple - can he categorically rule out any changes to the security of tenure of council and housing association tenants in Southampton?"

Denham Calls For Community Champions To Tackle ASB

Communities Secretary John Denham has issued a rallying call for an army of community champions to challenge anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods. Mr Denham is determined that people who want to make a difference in their community have the training and hands-on support they need to work together to solve local problems. That is why he opening up a new programme of Government training to anyone suffering from anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood. He wants to make clear that the Government is on their side and will back those who are working to make a difference. He wants to give every citizen an opportunity to emulate people like Carole McCulloch from Nottingham who has got young people themselves involved in challenging anti-social behaviour and learning that they do have the power to get things done. Read full details on the CLG website.

New £10 Million Funding To Train Housing Officers To Lead Fight Against ASB

Up to ten thousand front-line staff and community champions are to receive training and support to help tackle anti-social behaviour, Communities Secretary John Denham and Housing Minister John Healey have announced . They have called on frontline staff from community safety teams to housing officers across England to make full use of the powers and tools already available, while giving more support to residents and community activists. This drive, which is being funded by a £10 million package, will target 130 local councils. The full story is on the 24dash website and the Home Office Statistical Bulletins, Perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour in England and Wales 2008-09 on the Home Office website