Government Refuses Full Police Funding Request For Grenfell Investigation

The government has refused to fully meet a special request for funding towards the Grenfell Tower police investigation despite approving all others made last year. While the request for additional funding for the probe into the 2017 disaster was considerably higher than others lodged by the Metropolitan Police politicians said the decision was causing further delays and accused the Home Office of “denying justice”. It comes amid growing anger over the lack of progress into the investigation of the Grenfell tragedy. More than a year and a half on from the tragedy, no arrests have been made and only three interviews have so far been carried out. Read more on the Independent website.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grenfell-met-police-funding-royal-wedding-security-trump-visit-madeleine-mccann-a8786456.html

More Than 50 Councils Will Share Extra Funding To Crack Down On Rogue Landlords

More than 50 councils across the country will share nearly £2.4 million of extra funding to crack down on rogue landlords.

·         More than 50 councils to benefit from nearly £2.4 million to ramp up action against the minority of irresponsible landlords who make tenants’ lives a misery

·         Money to be used to boost short-term staffing and create new digital tools to help councils better protect tenants

·         Measures build on action taken by government to protect renters and drive up standards across the sector

Read more on the MHCLG website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-minister-confirms-funding-for-councils-to-crack-down-on-rogue-landlords

May Promises £10bn Help To Buy Boost

The government will find an extra £10bn for the Help to Buy scheme to let another 135,000 people get on the property ladder, Theresa May has said. The extra cash will help buyers get a mortgage with a deposit of as little as 5% to buy newly built homes. Mrs May gave no detail about the source of the funding and said plans would be outlined in the Budget on 22 November. But think tank the Adam Smith Institute criticised the revival of the scheme, saying it would push up house prices. Read more on the BBC.

Extra £100m Green Deal Funding Announced

The government has announced a further £100m for green deal improvements after the scheme closed suddenly in July. Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, announced the additional cash which will be available to fund energy efficiency improvements for homes. Details of how to bid for the funding, and what measures it will cover, will be unveiled in November. Read more on Inside Housing.

Hopkins Unveils £65m Extra Funding To Tackle Homelessness

Housing Minister Kris Hopkins and Communities Minister Stephen Williams have announced £65 million of funding for councils and other organisations to tackle homelessness around the country. Hopkins said: "People at risk of homelessness need more than just a roof over their head. They also need help with their education, employment and health so they have the right skills, confidence and opportunities to succeed. That’s why this government has increased spending on preventing homelessness and why we’ve worked hard to ensure that homelessness acceptances are now lower than in 27 of the last 30 years.” Read more on 24dash.

£50m More for Claimants Hit By Bedroom Tax – in London

The Government has promised more than £50 million extra to help London benefit claimants affected by the so-called "bedroom tax".  But ministers said they were determined to push on with the reform, which they claim is needed to unclog the social housing system. To drive home their point they gave out figures showing how hundreds of thousands of London families are either living in cramped homes or languishing on council waiting lists. The extra £51.6 million comes on top of £56.6 million being spent this year to ease tenants’ moves into more suitably sized properties. Read more on the Evening Standard website.

Councils Have Until February to Apply For Additional DHP

Councils hoping to bid for a share of £20 million in additional emergency hardship funding have until February to apply. The government made the extra discretionary housing payment funding available in June to support councils that were running out of cash. Last month, the government said only £3.3 million of the pot had been distributed to 29 councils. The window to apply for the money will close on 3 February. Read more on Inside Housing.