More Than 130 Councils on Course to Run Out Of DHP

Emergency funds to support those worst affected by welfare reform are on course to run out before the end of the financial year in 132 local authorities. Two councils have already spent their full discretionary housing payment (DHP) fund- which is allocated to local authorities to provide support to those hit by policies such as the bedroom tax. The figures showed 132 councils in England and Wales used more than half their funding by the midpoint of the financial year, with 19 spending more than three quarters.  Read more on Inside Housing.

Green Deal Fund Exhausts £24m in Just A Day

Twenty-four hours into the Government's Green Deal cashback relaunch and £24 million of taxpayers' money put aside for solid wall insulation has already run dry. The latest injection of Green Deal cash paid householders up to £5,600 for taking out solid wall insulation and a further two home improvement measures. Money still remains available in the £6m fund for the other measures. The solid wall insulation fund paid up to £4,000 on 67pc of the cost, providing cladding on interior or exterior walls to keep in heat. It is used when cavity wall insulation is not possible. The Government set aside £24 million for solid wall insulation and £6 million for other energy-efficiency measures. Read more on the Daily Telegraph website.