Pickles Given Right to Veto Private Landlord Licensing Schemes

The Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has slammed new powers that will give Eric Pickles the right to veto local authority private landlord licensing schemes. Two years after becoming the first local authority in England to introduce a borough-wide scheme for the private rented sector, Newham Council has licensed 100% of its rental properties. But, just as this key milestone was reached, the government announced proposals that aim to restrict councils from introducing similar schemes, without any formal consultation. From 1 April, any council looking to introduce a licensing scheme covering more than 20% of their area, or 20% of local privately rented homes, will need to obtain permission from Eric Pickles. Read more on 24dash.

Councils Could Be Banned From Using Phrase 'Bedroom Tax'

Councils could be banned from using the phrase “bedroom tax” under moves to give Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, the power to veto contentious language in local authority newsletters, leaflets and online publicity. Town halls joined forces with Labour to condemn plans to turn Mr Pickles into Whitehall’s “censor-in-chief” by stopping them from criticising Government policy. They protested that the new powers could also prevent Tory councils from attacking the Coalition’s support for the HS2 rail link. Their anger centres on measures in the Local Audit and Accountability Bill, which is about to become law, to require council publications to comply with a new code of conduct. It is designed to prevent left-wing councils from using taxpayer-funded freesheets to convey critical messages. Read more on the Independent website.

Government Hides Risks Of Controversial Help to Buy Scheme

Ministers are refusing to publish the Government’s own risk assessment into its flagship housing policy, triggering suspicions that they are trying to cover up official warnings that the scheme will endanger the British economy.  A string of independent housing experts have publicly warned that Help to Buy will overheat the housing market and “detonate a bomb” under the British economy. Ministers have refused for months to say if any official risk assessment has taken place, insisting only that the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was responsible for housing forecasts. Yet in a Freedom of Information (FOI) response to the Shadow Local Government Secretary, Hilary Benn, officials have revealed that the Government does indeed hold details of a risk assessment into Help to Buy, but that publication has been blocked by ministerial veto. The risk assessment was carried out before the policy was announced in March, meaning that the Chancellor ignored any warnings in it.  Read more on the Independent website.