22nd May 2013
Charities have claimed a major legal victory over who is eligible for the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Three judges ruled on Wednesday that the eligibility procedure currently used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) disadvantages people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism.
Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said his organisation "welcomes the tribunal's judgement, which has found that the claims process (for ESA) is unfair to people with mental heal...
22nd May 2013
Homeowners in a Scottish village are facing a £300,000 clean-up bill after discovering their properties were built on land contaminated with dangerous chemicals.
Residents of Blanefield in Stirlingshire are now appealing to Stirling Council to help them foot the massive remediation bill to have the land made safe.
“This shocking case in Stirlingshire is a prime example of the risks that homeowners take in purchasing properties without fully understanding the previous uses of the land...
22nd May 2013
Housing association Peabody has had five of its developments shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards.
Once completed, the shortlisted schemes will provide over 850 homes across the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea, and Lambeth.
The schemes will be assessed by an awards committee in June by representatives from the Greater London Authority, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Homes and Communities Agency, the Department for Communities ...
22nd May 2013
A social landlord’s revamped smart phone app now comes with a bedroom tax calculator - so tenants can work out if their housing benefit will be cut as a result of the government's controversial policy.
One vision Housing (OVH) originally created the app so residents could access its services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be used to:
Report repairs and request maintenance work
Report incidents of ASB
Order a direct debit form
Calculate living costs
Set rent payment reminders
See OV...
22nd May 2013
The majority of people are unaware of the link between poor eyesight and falls in older people, new research has revealed.
According to a survey by the College of Optometrists (CoP), nearly half of those asked said they had an older friend, parent or relative who had fallen, yet less than a third (32%) knew that poor vision was a major cause of falls.
Released in the run up to this year’s Falls Awareness Week, the CoP's analysis of 1,000 people with parents aged 65 or over found that fewer...
22nd May 2013
A scheme which has brought warmer homes, lower energy bills and 500 new jobs to Stockton-On-Tees is now being extended across the entire borough, making it the first of its kind in the UK.
The GoWarm project, run by community interest company Community Energy Solutions (CES) and Stockton Borough Council, has already improved the energy efficiency of 1,700 homes across Stockton and Thornaby, reducing individual fuel bills by up to £750 a year.
And after the council agreed to continue its ...
22nd May 2013
The chief executive of the UK Green Building Council has questioned the government's clarity over its Green Deal policy.
Responding to the Energy & Climate Change Select Committee's report - “The Green Deal: watching brief” - which criticises government for being unable to define what they hope to achieve through the scheme, Paul King said: “With rocketing energy bills becoming a real worry for householders, it’s encouraging that Government has moved home energy efficienc...
22nd May 2013
The minister for local government has asked whether the existing structure of council pension schemes in the UK is fit for purpose.
Speaking at the National Association of Pensions Funds’ Local Authority Conference, Brandon Lewis MP called for evidence on the future shape and size of council pension funds.
There are 89 funds in England and Wales administering schemes on behalf of around four million members and investing over £150 billion on their behalf.
The minister's call is stro...
22nd May 2013
Planning minister Nick Boles is to face questions from the Communities and Local Government Committee over the government's new planning regulations.
From 30 May, homeowners and business will have greater freedom to extend their properties or change the use of buildings without the need for planning permission.
For domestic extensions a new ‘light touch’ neighbour consultation scheme will be introduced.
Now MPs on the Committee are asking for questions to put to Boles.
They say tha...
22nd May 2013
Notting Hill Housing (NHH) is turning heads as a 'traditional' social housing provider developing a significant market rent property portfolio. Here, chief executive Kate Davies explains why the move is more about providing a better choice for Londoners than simply increasing revenues.
Today Notting Hill Housing (NHH) has a market rent portfolio of approximately 470 homes. We have 483 homes in the development pipeline which will be let over the next three years, with a further 1,000 planned. Ove...
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