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<meta name="Title" content="ROOF Magazine - Tories may give councils power to set benefits"/>
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<li><a href="/">ROOF</a></li>
<li><a href="../../roofblog">ROOF Blog</a></li><li>January 2010</li>
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<p>Displaying ROOF Blog articles from <strong>January 2010</strong></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/tories_may_give_councils_power_to_set_benefits">Tories may give councils power to set benefits</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">28/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Tony Marshall</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The Conservative Treasury team are holding talks on handing responsibility to local councils for setting and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jan/27/conservatives-local-councils-benefits-jobs" title="distributing benefits">distributing benefits</a> such as the jobseeker’s allowance. Speaking at a conference organised by the New Local Government Network in London, the shadow chief secretary, Philip Hammond, disclosed that he was holding talks on the issue with Conservative councils, including Kent. Under the proposal benefits would be lower where it was easier to find work. Councils would also be given incentives to help people find jobs. The plan has not yet appeared in any formal document. At the same conference John Denham, the communities secretary, put his faith in Total Place, a scheme that aims to drive out duplication and increase partnership working. ‘Local people will rightly be intolerant if they are told that frontline services will be cut when their council hasn’t taken tough decisions to introduce shared services, sharing senior staff with other local authorities, PCTs or other bidders, or through making the best use of public buildings,’ he said.</p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/FSA_help_for_homeowners_in_arrears">FSA help for homeowners in arrears</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">27/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Tony Marshall</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The Financial Services Authority, the City watchdog, is proposing a clampdown on the charges that lenders levy on customers who are in arrears, as well as stressing that they must only consider repossessing a home <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/mortgages/7080372/FSA-help-for-homeowners-in-arrears.html" title="as a last resort">as a last resort</a>. The latest round of proposals comes after problems with the way specialist lenders and third party administrators were handling people who fell behind with repayments. Lenders have also come in for heavy criticism over the fees they levy on homeowners who are in arrears, with some groups charging £150 to people for a visit by a debt counsellor, or £300 for instructing a solicitor. Borrowers can also be charged£60 a month in fees even once they have come to an arrangement with their lender about repaying the arrears. Under Tuesday’s proposals, firms will no longer be allowed to apply monthly arrears charges to consumers when they have agreed a repayment plan</p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/gap_between_rich_and_poor_widens">Gap between rich and poor widens</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">27/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Tony Marshall</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>A detailed and startling analysis of how unequal Britain has become offers a snapshot of an increasingly <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/27/report-britain-rich-poor-equality" title="divided nation ">divided nation </a>where the richest 10 per cent of the population are more than 100 times as wealthy as the poorest 10 per cent of society. The report, An Anatomy of Economic Inequality in the UK, scrutinises the degree to which the country has become more unequal over the past 30 years. Much of it will make uncomfortable reading for the Labour government, although the paper indicates that considerable responsibility lies with the Tories, who presided over the dramatic divisions of the 1980s and early 1990s. The new findings show that the household wealth of the top 10 per cent of the population stands at £853,000 and more – over 100 times higher than the wealth of the poorest 10 per cent, which is £8,800 or below (a sum including cars and other possessions).</p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/government_extends_drive_to_tackle_repossessions">Government extends drive to tackle repossessions</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">26/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>John Healey has extended the government’s campaign to help struggling homeowners get a grip on their finances and avoid repossession. Over 330,000 households have had help and advice with their mortgages over the past year. But with the pressure on families likely to remain high throughout 2010, starting this week the <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1444730" title="government is working with CAB">government is working with CAB</a> to run a string of local help events in 56 repossession ‘hotspots’, so that struggling homeowners can get impartial face-to-face help and advice to keep their home. New radio and local press advertising in all 56 areas will also promote the free telephone advice line and special website to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/arrears" title="arrears">arrears</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/repossession" title="repossession">repossession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/advice" title="advice">advice</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/payments" title="payments">payments</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/help" title="help">help</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/CAB" title="CAB">CAB</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/new_home_applications_rise">New home applications rise</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">26/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Applications to build houses across the UK rose in the last quarter of 2009, <a href="http://www.nhbc.co.uk/NewsandComment/UKnewhouse-buildingstatistics/" title="according to the NHBC">according to the NHBC</a>. It said applications to build new homes between October and December 2009 rose 64 per cent from 15,879 to 26,078 compared with the same period in 2008. This was driven by the private sector, where applications surged 113 per cent, from 8,646 in the last quarter of 2008, to 18,393 in 2009. Public sector demand saw a six per cent rise, from 7,233 to 7,685. Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the NHBC, said: ‘Our house building colleagues across the industry have shown cautious optimism as they reveal their predictions for 2010. Now the nation’s housebuilders need support from the government as they see their way out of this downturn and try to meet the need for new homes.’
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house-building" title="house building">house building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/new-homes" title="new homes">new homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/applications" title="applications">applications</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/public-sector" title="public sector">public sector</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/houses" title="houses">houses</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housebuilder" title="housebuilder">housebuilder</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/private-sector" title="private sector">private sector</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/one_in_ten_over-70s_still_pay_to_support_their_children">One in ten over-70s still pay to support their children</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">26/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Nearly one in ten over-70s are still paying to support their children, the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1245995/One-70s-pay-support-children.html" title="Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said yesterday">Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said yesterday</a>. Hundreds of thousands of elderly people are bearing the financial burden of a family despite having had to retire in their sixties. The findings reflect the rising ‘boomerang generation’ of twentysomethings returning to the family home to rely on their parents after leaving university, as well as the increasing age at which many couples are having children. On top of this, a quarter of grandparents are paying towards the upbringing of their children’s children, other figures have shown.
</p>
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/children" title="children">children</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/children" title="Children">Children</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/human-rights" title="human rights">human rights</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/EHRC" title="EHRC">EHRC</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/pensioners" title="pensioners">pensioners</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/boomerang-generation" title="boomerang generation">boomerang generation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/elderly-people" title="elderly people">elderly people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/over-70s" title="over-70s">over-70s</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/grandparents" title="grandparents">grandparents</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/shortfall_of_500000_affordable_homes_if_budget_is_cut_warns_housing_group">Shortfall of 500,000 affordable homes if budget is cut, warns housing group</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">25/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The government will struggle to build even half of its target of a million affordable homes by 2020 if the housing budget is not exempted from public spending cuts, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/24/affordable-homes-shortfall" title="a housing campaign group says">a housing campaign group says</a>. If the cuts to the house-building budget suggested by November’s pre-budget report go ahead, the number of affordable homes built by 2020 will be 444,000, says the National Housing Federation. The NHF is calling on Gordon Brown to make the house building budget ‘untouchable’ and give it the same status as hospitals, schooling and policing, areas the government said in November it would ringfence while it cut back spending in other areas.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable-homes" title="affordable homes">affordable homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="social housing">social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house-building" title="house building">house building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="Social housing">Social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="Budget">Budget</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/house_price_rise_hopes_boosted_as_recession_ends">House price rise hopes boosted as recession ends</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">25/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Most Britons believe that house prices will rise this year as the country awaits official confirmation that the worst peacetime recession is finally over. A survey by Rightmove found that 53 per cent of those in the UK believe house prices will rise over the next 12 months, compared with just 10 per cent at the beginning of last year. The sharp upswing in confidence about one of the worst affected sectors during the recession comes prior to the publication of figures tomorrow that are <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/houseprices/7067776/House-price-rise-hopes-boosted-as-recession-ends.html" title="expected to show the economy started growing again">expected to show the economy started growing again</a> in the last quarter of 2009. Economists are predicting that the Office for National Statistics will say that gross domestic product increased by 0.4 per cent, which would mark the official end of the recession following six quarters of contraction.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house-prices" title="house prices">house prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home-ownership" title="home ownership">home ownership</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economist" title="economist">economist</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ONS" title="ONS">ONS</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/contraction" title="contraction">contraction</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/predictions" title="predictions">predictions</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/nao_warns_over_decent_homes_information_collection">NAO warns over Decent Homes information collection</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">25/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The National Audit Office (NAO) has expressed concerns over the strength of the information collected on <a href="http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/the_decent_homes_programme.aspx" title="Decent Homes progress">Decent Homes progress</a>. It is estimated that over a million social homes have been improved by CLG’s Decent Homes Programme. The original target was that all social sector homes would be decent by 2010, but by November 2009, CLG was estimating that approximately 92 per cent of social housing would meet the standard by 2010, leaving 305,000 properties ‘non-decent’. 100 per cent decency would not be achieved until 2018-19.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="social housing">social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-government" title="local government">local government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="Social housing">Social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="Community">Community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="community">community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/CLG" title="CLG">CLG</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-sector" title="social sector">social sector</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/standards" title="standards">standards</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/information" title="information">information</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/homeowners_win_mortgage_refund">Homeowners win mortgage refund</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">25/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Hundreds of thousands of homeowners could be in line to collect hefty refunds for unfair mortgage charges as lenders face being forced to hand back millions of pounds in fees imposed on customers who missed their monthly loan payments. One firm has been fined £2.8million and made to return £7.7million to borrowers when it was found to have acted unfairly. The c<a href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/153924/Home-owners-win-mortgage-refund" title="rackdown by the Financial Services Authority">rackdown by the Financial Services Authority</a> is likely to lead to claims by hundreds of thousands of home owners who believe they have been harshly penalised.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/FSA" title="FSA">FSA</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/payment" title="payment">payment</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/services" title="services">services</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/loan" title="loan">loan</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/refund" title="refund">refund</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/customer" title="customer">customer</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/authority" title="authority">authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/financial" title="financial">financial</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/call_to_help_homeless_people_register_for_the_general_election">Call to help homeless people register for the General Election</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The Electoral Commission is reminding people living in temporary accommodation that <a href="http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-media/news-releases/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-campaigns/help-homeless-people-register-for-the-general-election" title="they don’t need a permanent address to have a say at the next general election">they don’t need a permanent address to have a say at the next general election</a>. The independent elections watchdog has produced a poster encouraging residents in shelters, hostels and bed and breakfasts to discuss how to register to vote with their accommodation managers. The project is being supported by Homeless Link, whose chief executive Jenny Edwards commented: ‘Homeless Link believes it is crucial that those who are experiencing homelessness use their political voice to influence the environment in which they live and the services they use. We welcome the recognition of the importance of homeless people’s votes and are working to increase awareness of voter registration procedures.’
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="homelessness">homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/accommodation" title="accommodation">accommodation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="Homelessness">Homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/temporary-accommodation" title="temporary accommodation">temporary accommodation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/hostel" title="hostel">hostel</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeless" title="homeless">homeless</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/general-election" title="general election">general election</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/shelters" title="shelters">shelters</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/electoral-commission" title="electoral commission">electoral commission</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/vote" title="vote">vote</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/local_community_buildings_to_be_transformed_through_pound2.27_million_of_go">Local community buildings to be transformed through £2.27 million of Government grants</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Today 96 charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises will receive over £2.27 million in Government grants <a href="http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/programmes/our-programmes/capital-investment-programme" title="to improve vital facilities">to improve vital facilities</a> they provide for their communities. The grants, worth up to £30,000 each, are part of the Capital Investment Programme delivered by Capacitybuilders. They support small scale improvements to resource centres which result in improved availability, or quality and accessibility of accommodation or shared facilities for local third sector organisations.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="Community">Community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="community">community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/charity" title="charity">charity</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/funding" title="funding">funding</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/capacity-building" title="capacity building">capacity building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/voluntary-organisations" title="voluntary organisations">voluntary organisations</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/third-sector" title="third sector">third sector</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-enterprise" title="social enterprise">social enterprise</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/lending_is_up_but_so_is_the_cost_of_borrowing">Lending is up – but so is the cost of borrowing</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Both the CML and the Bank of England agreed that <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/lending-is-up-ndash-but-so-is-the-cost-of-borrowing-1875394.html" title="mortgage lending edged up">mortgage lending edged up</a> again in the last months of the year, against the usual seasonal downturn. The CML reported that gross mortgage lending reached an estimated £13.7bn in December, up 14 per cent on November. A rush of sales before the end of the stamp duty holiday and the prospective hike in VAT accounted for much of the improvement.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bank-of-england" title="bank of england">bank of england</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bank-of-england" title="Bank of England">Bank of England</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/stamp-duty" title="stamp duty">stamp duty</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/borrower" title="borrower">borrower</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/lending" title="lending">lending</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/CML" title="CML">CML</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/borrowing" title="borrowing">borrowing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/interest" title="interest">interest</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council-of-Mortgage-Lenders" title="Council of Mortgage Lenders">Council of Mortgage Lenders</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/communities_could_be_ghettoised_by_official_data_website">Communities could be ‘ghettoised’ by official data website</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>A new website - data.gov.uk - allows people to access 2,500 sets of official data, some of it never released before, from across Government departments. They include everything from crime rates, house prices and tidal predictions, to the numbers of people issued with antisocial behaviour orders living in people’s areas. Its creator <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7046313/Communities-could-be-ghettoised-by-official-data-website-Sir-Tim-Berners-Lee-says.html" title="Sir Tim Berners-Lee">Sir Tim Berners-Lee</a>, who is credited with founding the internet 20 years ago, admitted the scale of the information available, which will eventually be searchable by postcode, will mean that social inequalities between different areas will quickly become apparent. There was a risk that some areas would seem like ‘ghettoes’ compared to others, he said, although this was not necessarily a bad thing as it would create pressure on politicians to spend money on improving the worse-off areas.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Communities" title="Communities">Communities</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house-prices" title="house prices">house prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Communities" title="communities">communities</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neighbourhood" title="neighbourhood">neighbourhood</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crime-rates" title="crime rates">crime rates</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/data" title="data">data</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ghettos" title="ghettos">ghettos</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ghettoised" title="ghettoised">ghettoised</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/deloitte_expands_into_commercial_property_with_drivers_jonas_deal">Deloitte expands into commercial property with Drivers Jonas deal</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Deloitte, Britain’s second-biggest professional services group, is to seize a foothold in the £2 billion commercial property consulting market by acquiring one of Britain’s oldest real estate firms. The ‘big four’ accountant will <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article6997743.ece" title="merge its real estate practice">merge its real estate practice</a> with Drivers Jonas, the UK’s eighth-biggest commercial property adviser. The new unit will have revenue of £110 million and 700 staff, but John Connolly, Deloitte’s chief executive, who forged the deal, said that fee income is expected to more than double to £250 million within three years. Mr Connolly said that Deloitte identified Drivers Jonas as the most attractive target in the commercial property market because of its size, profitability and reputation.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/construction" title="construction">construction</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/industry" title="industry">industry</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/business" title="business">business</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/revenue" title="revenue">revenue</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/real-estate" title="real estate">real estate</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/commercial" title="commercial">commercial</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/deloitte" title="deloitte">deloitte</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/drivers-jonas" title="drivers jonas">drivers jonas</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/professional-services" title="professional services">professional services</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/federation_calls_for_more_support_for_independent_living">Federation calls for more support for independent living</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Millions of older people could be spared traumatic hospital stays and costly long term care if they were given more help to live independently in their own homes, according to the <a href="http://www.housing.org.uk/default.aspx?tabid=212&mid=828&ctl=Details&ArticleID=2673" title="National Housing Federation">National Housing Federation</a>. The Federation warned older people were often denied the support they needed to continue to live at home – increasing the risk that they will end up in hospital or in a care home in the long run. Federation chief executive David Orr said ‘By investing more widely in simple preventative measures which help older people live safely at home for as long as possible, the number of hospital admissions and care home places could be cut significantly as a result.’
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/elderly" title="elderly">elderly</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/national-housing-federation" title="national housing federation">national housing federation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/care-home" title="care home">care home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/nhs" title="nhs">nhs</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home-help" title="home help">home help</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/independence" title="independence">independence</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/health-and-safety" title="health and safety">health and safety</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/hospital" title="hospital">hospital</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/national-housing-federation" title="National Housing Federation">National Housing Federation</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/cordea_savills_joins_property_fund_rush">Cordea Savills joins property fund rush</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">22/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Cordea Savills, the funds arm of property services firm Savills, has launched the <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d7e00f74-06cd-11df-b058-00144feabdc0.html " title="UK Income and Growth Fund">UK Income and Growth Fund</a> to acquire prime assets in Britain’s recovering commercial property market. The fund is aiming to raise a total of 1 billion pounds over the next few years, and plans to deliver distributions to investors of over 5 per cent. ‘Despite uncertain prospects in the short term, we believe that UK prime commercial property is fairly priced and will perform well again once the occupational markets return to strength,’ fund director George Tindley said.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/income" title="income">income</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property-market" title="property market">property market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/fund" title="fund">fund</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/prime-assets" title="prime assets">prime assets</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/cordea-savills" title="cordea savills">cordea savills</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/growth-fund" title="growth fund">growth fund</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/commercial-property" title="commercial property">commercial property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/investors" title="investors">investors</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/housing_minister_offers_more_housing_choice_for_tenants">Housing minister offers more housing choice for tenants</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>More tenants across the country will have a greater say over where they want to live and what housing options are available to them after John Healey announced <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1440873" title="over half a million pounds of extra funding">over half a million pounds of extra funding</a> to create more choice based lettings schemes across the country and expand several others already in place. The schemes offer tenants greater mobility, choice and flexibility when looking at their housing options enabling them to move across different local authority areas, for example if they were looking to move for a job opportunity. Since the programme began in 2005 more than £6.5m has been given to councils to work with housing associations to provide increased choice and mobility for thousands of new and existing social housing tenants
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="social housing">social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-association" title="housing association">housing association</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="Social housing">Social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/minister" title="minister">minister</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/choice-based-lettings" title="choice based lettings">choice based lettings</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/choice" title="choice">choice</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/minister_investigates_bigger_role_for_mutuals_in_housing">Minister investigates bigger role for mutuals in housing</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Tessa Jowell, Minister for the Cabinet Office, discussed with housing co-operative tenants and staff whether the mutual model – tenant and staff owned enterprises – <a href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100119-housing.aspx" title="could play a bigger role in the UK housing market">could play a bigger role in the UK housing market</a>, in a visit to New Cut Housing Co-operative in Lambeth. She asked tenants about the benefits of living in a housing co-operative and discussed with staff the barriers stopping increases in the co-operative housing market. Last month, the Minister gave a speech outlining her views that mutuals should have a major role in public service delivery and reform. She announced plans to create an independent Commission on Ownership, chaired by Will Hutton, to investigate the issue. She also announced she was to meet ministers responsible for housing, social care and Sure Start, to investigate a larger role for mutualism. Read all about the benefits of cooperative and mutual housing in the most <a href="../../features/cooperative_dividend" title="recent issue of ROOF magazine">recent issue of ROOF magazine</a>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-market" title="housing market">housing market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-care" title="social care">social care</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/roof" title="roof">roof</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/roof" title="ROOF">ROOF</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mutual" title="mutual">mutual</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/staff-owned" title="staff-owned">staff-owned</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/commission" title="commission">commission</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/cooperative" title="cooperative">cooperative</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/5500_empty_council_houses_denied_to_desperate_families">5,500 empty council houses denied to desperate families</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>At least 5,500 properties owned by London’s authorities are unoccupied, more than 3,000 of which have been vacant for three months or more. This is despite 353,000 people across the city waiting to be housed. The figures, <a href="http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23797319-5500-empty-council-houses-denied-to-desperate-families.do" title="released under the Freedom of Information Ac">released under the Freedom of Information Ac</a>t, created fury among campaigners. Duncan Shrubsole, of homelessness charity Crisis, said: ‘It’s scandalous to have so many properties empty and we would urge all local authorities to make sure they are using their council housing to maximum capacity.’ Councils today defended their position saying many of the houses were uninhabitable. Lambeth Living, which manages social housing for Lambeth council, has 1,090 properties empty, 848 for more than three months, and 18,000 households on its housing waiting list — 8,000 of those families of two or more. A spokeswoman said empty properties were usually awaiting repair, redecoration or re-letting.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="homelessness">homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/London" title="London">London</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-authority" title="local authority">local authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="Homelessness">Homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/families" title="families">families</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeless" title="homeless">homeless</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/tenants_mps_and_unions_to_fight_for_council_housing">Tenants, MPs and unions to fight for council housing</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Tenants, MPs, local councillors and trade unionists from across Britain will come together on March 19 at the <a href="../../roofblog/2010/DefendCouncilHousing(DCH)nationalconference" title="Defend Council Housing (DCH) national conference">Defend Council Housing (DCH) national conference</a> to defend the future of council housing and demand that politicians listen to council tenants in the run up to the general election. DCH campaigns against ‘privatisation’ and for direct investment to provide decent, affordable, secure and accountable housing. The conference will discuss proposals for the future funding of council housing and hear from local campaigns fighting to insist Government meets its commitment to bring all housing up to a decent standard with no strings attached.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenants" title="tenants">tenants</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rights" title="rights">rights</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/MPs" title="MPs">MPs</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/funding" title="funding">funding</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/general-election" title="general election">general election</a></p>
</div>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/windsor_and_maidenhead_council_makes_history_with_biggest_ever_cut_in_counc">Windsor and Maidenhead council makes history with biggest ever cut in council tax</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Windsor and Maidenhead council will announce today a four per cent cut in the charge from April. This will bring the average council tax for a band D property to £996 2010/11, down by £41 from 2009/10. The Local Government Association said that Windsor and Maidenhead’s tax cut was the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7036554/Windsor-and-Maidenhead-council-makes-history-with-biggest-ever-cut-in-council-tax.html" title="biggest ever">biggest ever</a>. Most councils are set to increase the charge by between 2.5 per cent and 3 per cent from April. The RPI measure of inflation is currently 2.4 per cent. The local authority has cut more than £1million off the local authority’s budget between 2009/10 and 2010/11 - and handed the saving directly onto council tax payers. Windsor and Maidenhead councillors said they were hoping that the radical overhaul of its finances could form a blueprint for other councils across the UK to cut council tax. David Burbage, the council’s leader, said: ‘We are showing that council tax can go down as well as up. For too long council tax bills have inexorably risen, and there is no correlation between high council tax and good services.’
</p>
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</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/finance" title="finance">finance</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-authority" title="local authority">local authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/finance" title="Finance">Finance</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="Budget">Budget</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/council-tax" title="council tax">council tax</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="budget">budget</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/inflation" title="inflation">inflation</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/mortgage_costs_leap_as_skipton_building_society_lifts_rate">Mortgage costs leap as Skipton Building Society lifts rate</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">21/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Tens of thousands of borrowers face a shock jump in mortgage payments after <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/property_and_mortgages/article6995969.ece" title="Skipton Building Society confirmed plans to raise its standard variable rate">Skipton Building Society confirmed plans to raise its standard variable rate</a> from 3.5 per cent to 4.95 per cent. The move, to take effect from 1 March, will raise mortgage repayments by up to 40 per cent for some borrowers, adding almost £200 a month to repayments on a £150,000 interest-only loan. Skipton, Britain’s fifth-largest building society, with 100,000 borrowers, previously had guaranteed that its variable rate would not rise while Bank of England base rate stayed at 0.5 per cent, but it has cited a clause in its loans’ small print allowing it to ignore the promise in ‘exceptional circumstances’. Skipton has blamed its decision on ‘unprecedented’ competition in the savings market from National Savings & Investments (NS&I), the Treasury-backed savings provider, and state- controlled banks. Experts say that other building societies are likely to follow suit and raise interest rates for homeowners on an SVR, the ‘revert’ rate that borrowers switch to when a mortgage deal ends.
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-market" title="housing market">housing market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/interest-rates" title="interest rates">interest rates</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/borrowers" title="borrowers">borrowers</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/loans" title="loans">loans</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/building-society" title="building society">building society</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/savings" title="savings">savings</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/variable-rate" title="variable rate">variable rate</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/house_prices_point_to_divided_britain">House prices point to divided Britain</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">20/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Fifty years ago, the average home cost £2,507 and one in seven had the loo outside. A half century on, the average home costs £162,085 but spare a thought for the two in every 1,000 households that still rely on an outside loo, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jan/20/house-prices-britain-property" title="according to research published by Halifax">according to research published by Halifax</a>. The decade-by-decade data paints a picture of Britain today more divided than ever by regional house price differences. Halifax found that the region with the lowest prices in 1960 – Yorkshire and Humberside – remains the lowest, but said that every region in Britain has fallen further and further behind London. It said the difference was down to the rise in real earnings, which have increased more in Greater London than in any other region. However, incomes have failed to keep pace with rampant property prices everywhere. Halifax found that prices rose by 273 per cent in real terms between 1959 and 2009. Over the same period, the growth in real earnings was 169 per cent.
</p>
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/regional" title="regional">regional</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/household" title="household">household</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/prices" title="prices">prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/increase" title="increase">increase</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/salary" title="salary">salary</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/earnings" title="earnings">earnings</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/region" title="region">region</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/healey_calls_on_councils_to_stop_garden_grabbing">Healey calls on councils to stop ‘garden grabbing’</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">20/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Housing and planning minister John Healey has published <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1440002" title="research">research</a> claiming that inappropriate building on back gardens is not a widespread, national problem and is often linked to councils’ failure to have local policies in place. He told the small minority of councils who reported issues in ‘hot spot’ areas that the power to act is already in their own hands if they establish clear, local policies. The intensive, countrywide review by Kingston University was commissioned last year to assess the nature and extent of the issue across the country and how it could be tackled. Garden grabbing can affect the character of an area if very different properties are built alongside family homes. The research concluded that although the issue is not a widespread national problem, a minority of councils in London, the South East and West Midlands had reported an impact in their areas.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/planning" title="planning">planning</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Building" title="Building">Building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Building" title="building">building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/garden" title="garden">garden</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/policy" title="policy">policy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/hot-spot" title="hot spot">hot spot</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/roof-mounted_wind_turbines_no_help_in_reducing_carbon">Roof-mounted wind turbines ‘no help in reducing carbon’</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">20/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Roof-mounted wind turbines and solar panels are ‘eco-bling’ that allow their owners to flaunt their green credentials but contribute very little towards meeting Britain’s carbon reduction targets, <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6994439.ece" title="according to the Royal Academy of Engineering">according to the Royal Academy of Engineering</a>. Developers will waste millions of pounds installing such micro-generation devices unless the Government revises its building regulations on carbon-neutral homes and offices. Doug King, professor of building engineering at the University of Bath and the author of a report on low carbon buildings, said that far greater savings could be made by installing better insulation and methods of trapping the sun’s rays. He proposed that the government target for all new homes to be carbon-neutral by 2016 should be relaxed in return for developers making equivalent contributions to wind farms and other large-scale renewable energy projects.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/environment" title="environment">environment</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/energy" title="energy">energy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/insulation" title="insulation">insulation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/wind-turbine" title="wind turbine">wind turbine</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/carbon-neutral" title="carbon neutral">carbon neutral</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/target" title="target">target</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/carbon" title="carbon">carbon</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/low-carbon" title="low carbon">low carbon</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/solar-panel" title="solar panel">solar panel</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/wind-farm" title="wind farm">wind farm</a></p>
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</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/tories_housing_plans_to_raise_the_roofs">Tories’ housing plans to raise the roofs</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">20/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Grant Shapps, the shadow housing minister, says a Conservative government <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/20/shapps-housing-conservative-home-ownership" title="would promote home ownership">would promote home ownership</a> – without returning to Thatcher-era council house sell-offs. Labour, he claims, is sidelining home ownership and re-emphasising the importance of social housing. ‘Labour has given up on aspiration in their rush to shore up their core voting areas,’ he says. ‘I couldn’t disagree more with them.’
</p>
</div>
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Labour" title="Labour">Labour</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Labour" title="labour">labour</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/conservative" title="conservative">conservative</a></p>
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<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/first-time_buyer_gloom_as_buy-to-let_investors_return">First-time buyer gloom as buy-to-let investors return</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">19/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Buy-to-let investors are back in favour with mortgage lenders for the first time in two years, raising renewed concerns that <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/property_and_mortgages/article6993169.ece" title="first-time buyers could once more be squeezed out of the market">first-time buyers could once more be squeezed out of the market</a> for one and two-bedroom properties by landlords. Brokers said that a number of lenders have started to focus on attracting landlords with more favourable interest rates, after a long period of freezing them out. Despite the credit-fuelled boom and subsequent collapse of the buy-to-let market, which left many city centre flats empty and landlords unable to complete purchases, the lenders that are now re-entering the market perceive their customers as less risky than first-time buyers.</p>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-market" title="housing market">housing market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/interest-rates" title="interest rates">interest rates</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/buy-to-let" title="buy to let">buy to let</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/landlord" title="landlord">landlord</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/lender" title="lender">lender</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/buyer" title="buyer">buyer</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/investor" title="investor">investor</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/risk" title="risk">risk</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/customer" title="customer">customer</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/mod_faces_criticism_for_8000_empty_homes">MoD faces criticism for 8000 empty homes</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">19/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Almost 8000 homes for Armed Forces families are standing empty despite the Ministry of Defence spending £17m a year renting substitute properties. Figures showed there are currently 7889 unoccupied homes for service families in the UK, including 2077 that have been <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1243945/MoD-8-000-homes-available-spends-17-million-rent-service-families.html" title="empty for more than a year">empty for more than a year</a>. But the MoD has spent more than £88m since 2004 on renting homes where no suitable properties are available, with the bill for 2009 topping £17m. Liberal Democrat defence spokesman, Willie Rennie, who uncovered the figures, said: ‘It is scandalous that the Government is spending millions renting forces homes despite already having thousands of houses standing empty.’
</p>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rent" title="rent">rent</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/renting" title="renting">renting</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/armed-forces" title="armed forces">armed forces</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/families" title="families">families</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/army" title="army">army</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/MoD" title="MoD">MoD</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/empty" title="empty">empty</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ministry" title="ministry">ministry</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/housebuilder_highlights_wall_of_planning_issues">Housebuilder highlights wall of planning issues</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">19/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Britain is unlikely to return quickly to the peak rate of housebuilding during the boom of the past decade, <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article6992975.ece" title="the chief executive of Taylor Wimpey has said">the chief executive of Taylor Wimpey has said</a>. Despite reporting a rise in demand for new homes that was better than expected - running at nearly a third higher than the dark days at the end of 2008 - Peter Redfern said that planning requirements would hold back a wholesale recovery in building volumes. Mr Redfern said: ‘At the peak, the industry in the UK was building 170,000 units. That has halved and last year the industry completed around 85,000 to 90,000 units. It will be a very long time before we get back to those high volumes because of the constraints on land availability and the planning system.’
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/planning" title="planning">planning</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/new-homes" title="new homes">new homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Building" title="Building">Building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/industry" title="industry">industry</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Building" title="building">building</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housebuilder" title="housebuilder">housebuilder</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/permission" title="permission">permission</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/land" title="land">land</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/boom" title="boom">boom</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/land-availability" title="land availability">land availability</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/homeless_turn_to_ae_for_help">Homeless turn to A&E for help</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">18/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The problem of homeless people sleeping on Britain’s streets may have been transferred to hospitals, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homeless-turn-to-ae-for-help-1869526.html" title="according to a new study">according to a new study</a>. Although the government claims that the number of people sleeping rough has fallen by three-quarters since 1988, figures obtained from 173 hospital trusts under the Freedom of Information Act reveal mounting pressure on the NHS from the homeless. In England, a homeless person is admitted to hospital for problems related to drugs or alcohol every three hours. A total of 13,872 people with ‘no fixed abode’ were admitted to hospital over the last five years for drug or alcohol misuse. Total drug and alcohol related admissions of homeless people have risen by 117 per cent since 2004.
</p>
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="homelessness">homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="Homelessness">Homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/A-E" title="A&E">A&E;</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/admissions" title="admissions">admissions</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/drugs" title="drugs">drugs</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeless" title="homeless">homeless</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/alcohol" title="alcohol">alcohol</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rough-sleeper" title="rough sleeper">rough sleeper</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/hospital" title="hospital">hospital</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/no-fixed-abode" title="no fixed abode">no fixed abode</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/housing_costs_delay_parenthood">Housing costs delay parenthood</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">18/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Shocking new research <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/news/january_2010/housing_costs_forcing_delay_in_having_children" title="released by Shelter">released by Shelter</a> shows that people are being forced to delay having children because of the lack of affordable housing. The research reveals that 18 per cent of 18–44 year olds, equivalent to 2.4 million people nationwide, are actively putting off having children because of high housing costs. This rises to 24 per cent among 18-34 year olds. The figures come from a survey commissioned by Shelter to discover the impact of the lack of affordable housing across all areas of people’s lives. In particular, the research examines the impact on relationships and family life.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/children" title="children">children</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Shelter" title="Shelter">Shelter</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable" title="affordable">affordable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Shelter" title="shelter">shelter</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crisis" title="crisis">crisis</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/family" title="family">family</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/children" title="Children">Children</a></p>
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</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/big_freeze_leaves_many_unable_to_pay_for_both_food_and_warmth">Big freeze leaves many unable to pay for both food and warmth</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">18/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Thousands of people have begun relying on food handouts to free up money to spend on heating during the recent spell of freezing conditions. The Trussell Trust, a Christian charity that runs a network of food banks across the UK said the cold has led to an unprecedented demand for its parcels, which contain enough donated items to keep a family fed for six days. And research by Age Concern has shown that, despite government relief, one in five older people skip meals to save money for heating. The charity has <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/17/eating-heating-furniture-cold-weather" title="urged ministers to do more">urged ministers to do more</a> to ease pressure forcing elderly people into the ‘cruel choice’ between food or warmth.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bills" title="bills">bills</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/poverty" title="poverty">poverty</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/elderly" title="elderly">elderly</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/weather" title="weather">weather</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/fuel" title="fuel">fuel</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/parcels" title="parcels">parcels</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/freeze" title="freeze">freeze</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/social_housing_providers_braced_for_cash_crisis">Social housing providers braced for cash crisis</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">15/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Housing associations are preparing for a <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article6988656.ece" title="funding crisis">funding crisis</a> that will result in a shortfall of newly built social homes from next year. The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has warned of the risk that the needs of the poorest will not be met from 2011 as public money dries up, leaving housing associations less able to finance the social rented sector. The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) said that it expected the number of homes built by housing associations to fall from 50,000 a year last year to 40,000 a year after 2011. Even at current funding levels, housing associations — the main providers of UK social housing — said that, to stay afloat, they had been forced to switch away from provision of social rented homes and towards more lucrative home ownership schemes geared towards renters on higher incomes.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="Homes">Homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="homes">homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/construction" title="construction">construction</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crisis" title="crisis">crisis</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crisis" title="Crisis">Crisis</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/industry" title="industry">industry</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ownership" title="ownership">ownership</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/funding" title="funding">funding</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/new-build" title="new build">new build</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/loan_sharks_target_poorest_households_with_825_apr_loans">Loan sharks target poorest households with 825% APR loans</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">15/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Thousands of households have taken out loans with interest rates averaging 825% during ‘the worst Christmas in a generation’ for illegal doorstep lending, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jan/15/loan-sharks-poorest-households" title="according to a new report">according to a new report</a>. ‘The Real Cost of Christmas’, commissioned by affordable housing provider Circle Anglia and written by the Financial Inclusion Centre, found that more than 100,000 of the UK’s poorest families will spend 2010 crippled with a combined debt of around £82m after borrowing money from loan sharks to pay for Christmas. The value of the loans is an estimated £29m, but average interest rates of 825% will mean that people end up paying nearly three times the initial amount they borrowed.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/finance" title="finance">finance</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/debt" title="debt">debt</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/poverty" title="poverty">poverty</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/finance" title="Finance">Finance</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable" title="affordable">affordable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/borrower" title="borrower">borrower</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/interest" title="interest">interest</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/household" title="household">household</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/loan" title="loan">loan</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/tsa_launches_diversity_plan">TSA launches diversity plan</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">14/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has set out how it plans to promote equality and good relations for social housing landlords and tenants in England with the launch of its first ever ‘Single equalities scheme’ and supporting action plan. The consultation document includes how the TSA will work with tenants, providers and other stakeholders to ensure that the needs of different tenants across the six diversity groups of ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, and religion/belief are identified and taken into account. Everyone with an interest in social housing is invited to <a href="http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.19978/changeNav/14570" title="comment on the consultation document">comment on the consultation document</a>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/landlord" title="landlord">landlord</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/diversity" title="diversity">diversity</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/consultation" title="consultation">consultation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/equality" title="equality">equality</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/services" title="services">services</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/authority" title="authority">authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social" title="social">social</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/equalities" title="equalities">equalities</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/miller_banking_on_mortgage_supply">Miller banking on mortgage supply</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">14/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The UK’s largest privately owned housebuilder said the availability of loans to homebuyers would be a crucial ingredient in a <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8f4bf302-0094-11df-b50b-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1" title="return to a stable housing market">return to a stable housing market</a>. Delivering an upbeat trading statement for the year to December 31, Miller Group, the Edinburgh based building, construction and property company, said it was seeing a gradual improvement in the housebuilding market in spite of a demanding economic environment. ‘Volumes are low but the demand has fallen a long way as the money to buy is not as readily available and the balance with supply is now much more in line,’ said Keith Miller, chief executive. ‘However, if we are to see any degree of long-term stability, it is crucial that the housing market gets a continuing supply of mortgages,’ he added.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/loans" title="loans">loans</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/construction" title="construction">construction</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homebuyer" title="homebuyer">homebuyer</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housebuilder" title="housebuilder">housebuilder</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/build" title="build">build</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/poverty_gap_narrows_in_devolved_countries">Poverty gap narrows in devolved countries</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">14/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>A major study on the impact of devolution on the most disadvantaged people and places has shown that despite falling poverty and improving employment levels in the devolved countries, most significant progress has been down to reserved (UK) powers. The research, <a href="http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/story-of-devolution" title="commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)">commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)</a>, explore trends in social and economic disadvantage and policy developments in four key areas: housing and homelessness; employment; neighbourhood regeneration and long-term care for older people.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="homelessness">homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/regeneration" title="regeneration">regeneration</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/poverty" title="poverty">poverty</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neighbourhood" title="neighbourhood">neighbourhood</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homelessness" title="Homelessness">Homelessness</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-care" title="social care">social care</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/policy" title="policy">policy</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/mps_attack_pound5bn_government_bill_for_grotty_new_housing">MPs attack £5bn government bill for ‘grotty’ new housing</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">13/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The government risks repeating the mistakes of the postwar housing boom by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/10/mps-attack-grotty-homes" title="wasting hundreds of millions of pounds">wasting hundreds of millions of pounds</a> on funding ‘grotty’ new homes, say MPs. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which has an annual investment budget of more than £5bn, has admitted that 27 of the private-sector projects it has bailed out scored five or less out of 20 on the industry’s Building for Life benchmark, with two scoring just 1.5. Homes failed on a range of basic measures, including poor space standards and over-reliance on single-aspect dwellings; inflexibility; low sustainability standards; and poor compatibility with neighbouring properties.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="Homes">Homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/agency" title="agency">agency</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="homes">homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="Community">Community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/sustainability" title="sustainability">sustainability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/HCA" title="HCA">HCA</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/record_number_of_complaints_against_property_professionals">Record number of complaints against property professionals</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">13/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The recession may have severely dented the property market, but <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/landlord-driving-you-mad-1865903.html" title="new figures show">new figures show</a> it has also prompted a surge in official complaints against those who make their living from it – estate agents, lettings companies, developers and even surveyors show big rises. The Property Ombudsman Scheme (POS) – the best-known redress system for buyers, sellers and tenants – received well over 10,000 complaints last year, with those in the lettings sector of the market alone surging by 79 per cent since late 2008.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/landlord" title="landlord">landlord</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/estate-agent" title="estate agent">estate agent</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Developers" title="Developers">Developers</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/professionals" title="professionals">professionals</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Developers" title="developers">developers</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/social_housings_heartlanders_play_a_vital_role_in_bonding_britains_communit">Social housing’s ‘heartlanders’ play a vital role in bonding Britain’s communities</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">13/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The importance of social housing’s ‘heartlanders’ and their activism has been revealed in a report that says the most prominent group of social housing tenants are highly active in their neighbourhoods and play a crucial role in bonding communities. David Eastgate, Hyde Group chief executive, said: ‘Heartlanders are the glue of local communities and in many instances play a more active role than homeowners. They take on the responsibility to deliver regeneration and ensure sustainability.’ The report makes <a href="http://www.housingnews.co.uk/dailynews.asp#H247395" title="a number of policy recommendations">a number of policy recommendations</a> to unlock the potential of those living in social housing.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/regeneration" title="regeneration">regeneration</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-association" title="housing association">housing association</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neighbourhood" title="neighbourhood">neighbourhood</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/activism" title="activism">activism</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="Community">Community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/sustainability" title="sustainability">sustainability</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/john_healey_doubles_council_housebuilding_cash">John Healey doubles council housebuilding cash</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">12/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>With the largest council housebuilding programme for nearly two decades already underway, housing minister John Healey has <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1429355" title="doubled Government cash for new council homes">doubled government cash for new council homes</a>. Mr Healey announced 73 councils covering every region of England will share an extra £122.6m. Councils will match this second round government grant bringing investment in this round to £246m, and total public investment in the programme as a whole to over £500m to build more than 4,000 new council homes for 8,000 people. In a clear break with council houses of the past, Mr Healey also confirmed that many will be new family homes, whilst all will be highly energy efficient and add to the mixed make-up of local neighbourhoods.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neighbourhood" title="neighbourhood">neighbourhood</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="Homes">Homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Homes" title="homes">homes</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/minister" title="minister">minister</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/neglect_fears_after_elderly_couple_die_in_freezing_home">‘Neglect’ fears after elderly couple die in freezing home</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">12/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>An elderly couple were allowed to die in their freezing home after neighbours’ pleas to authorities for help were ignored, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/6970522/Neglect-fears-after-elderly-couple-die-in-freezing-home.html" title="it has been claimed">it has been claimed</a>. Jean and Derek Randall were found dead in their home in Northampton by police as Britain was gripped by the coldest winter in 30 years. Sally Keeble, the pensioners’ MP, has now called for an inquiry claiming ‘major failures’ led to the couple being neglected by care workers. Mr Randall, 76, had been trying to get his wife, 79, into a care home after realising that his own flagging health left him incapable of caring for her. Neighbours claimed they repeatedly contacted the county council, NHS staff and charities for over a month about the couple’s plight, but their warnings were allegedly never acted on. Northamptonshire County Council said it was investigating.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-authority" title="local authority">local authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neighbourhood" title="neighbourhood">neighbourhood</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/elderly" title="elderly">elderly</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-care" title="social care">social care</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/health" title="health">health</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/investigation" title="investigation">investigation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/pensioners" title="pensioners">pensioners</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/neglect" title="neglect">neglect</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/cold" title="cold">cold</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/is_mutual_ownership_is_the_way_ahead_for_housing">Is mutual ownership is the way ahead for housing?</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">12/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>There is growing evidence and emerging consensus across the political spectrum that mutual ownership solutions not only work, but also should be actively encouraged by government, according to the <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6983980.ece" title="Commission on Mutual and Co-operative Housing">Commission on Mutual and Co-operative Housing</a>. Their recent report, ‘Bringing Democracy Home’, found that residents in co-operatives are more satisfied than other social housing tenants. They are happier with key services, such as repairs, and crucially tend to feel a strong community spirit, also reflected in high levels of civic engagement in roles such as school governorship.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="social housing">social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="Social housing">Social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="Community">Community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Community" title="community">community</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/repairs" title="repairs">repairs</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/residents" title="residents">residents</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/services" title="services">services</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/ownership" title="ownership">ownership</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/figures_show_blots_on_the_landscape_for_house_prices">Figures show blots on the landscape for house prices</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">12/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>House prices fell in the North and the West Midlands in December as market activity dampened, exposing those regions where the recovery has been weakest. According to the <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/property_and_mortgages/article6984226.ece" title="Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)">Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)</a>, last month’s figures showed five per cent more surveyors in the West Midlands reporting prices falling rather than rising, and seven per cent more in the North. The industry body added the East Midlands and Northern Ireland to its list of areas at risk of further immediate falls. Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at RICS, said: ‘These regions have been among the weakest for months. The best we can say is that they have stabilised lately.’
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recovery" title="recovery">recovery</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/prices" title="prices">prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/survey" title="survey">survey</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/1_million_paying_for_homes_by_card">1 million paying for homes by card</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">11/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>More than 1 million householders have used credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent in the last 12 months, <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/news/january_2010/1m_paying_for_homes_by_creditcard" title="a new survey by ROOF reveals today">a new survey by ROOF reveals today</a>. Despite restrictions on credit and reports of many people paying off personal debt, an exclusive YouGov poll for ROOF magazine reveals a disturbing picture of over a million people taking desperate measures with credit cards to keep a roof over their head. The highest proportion of those who pay their rent or mortgage through credit card were from working class professions (8% of those in the C2DE social grouping), but the poll also showed that middle/upper class (ABC1 category) are falling victim, with 4% of respondents saying they use credit cards in this way.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/debt" title="debt">debt</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rent" title="rent">rent</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/credit-card" title="credit card">credit card</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/survey" title="survey">survey</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/roof" title="roof">roof</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/magazine" title="magazine">magazine</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/roof" title="ROOF">ROOF</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/householder" title="householder">householder</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/building_affordable_homes_could_help_save_hundreds_of_rural_churches">Building affordable homes could help save hundreds of rural churches</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">11/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Hundreds of England’s village churches could be revived and up to 10,000 affordable homes built for local families – if churches sold land and buildings to housing associations, <a href="http://www.housing.org.uk/default.aspx?tabid=212&mid=828&ctl=Details&ArticleID=2652" title="according to research by the National Housing Federation">according to research by the National Housing Federation</a>. The Federation believes that with the Church of England owning an average of eight acres of land per Anglican village church, in addition to parsonages and church halls, every rural place of worship could deliver an average of one new affordable home. Federation chief executive David Orr said: ‘By making land available for housing, rural churches would increase their chances of survival and also help meet local housing need.’
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Rural" title="Rural">Rural</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable" title="affordable">affordable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/research" title="research">research</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/church" title="church">church</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/church" title="Church">Church</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Rural" title="rural">rural</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/tories_would_cut_immigration_to_avoid_population_of_70m">Tories would cut immigration to avoid population of 70m</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">11/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>A Conservative government would curb immigration to stop the population of the United Kingdom reaching the forecast 70 million, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-will-cut-immigration-to-avoid-population-of-70m-1863890.html" title="David Cameron said yesterday">David Cameron said yesterday</a>. He said net migration to the UK each year should be limited to ‘tens of thousands’ rather than ‘hundreds of thousands’, adding: ‘I’m in favour of immigration, we’ve benefited from immigration, but I think the pressures, particularly on our public services, have been very great.’ The number of people migrating to the UK minus those emigrating was 237,000 in 2007 and 163,000 in 2008.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/immigration" title="immigration">immigration</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/population" title="population">population</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/conservative" title="conservative">conservative</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/forecast" title="forecast">forecast</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/conservative" title="Conservative">Conservative</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/migrant" title="migrant">migrant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/emigrating" title="emigrating">emigrating</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/public-service" title="public service">public service</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/plans_for_national_register_of_social_housing_tower_blocks">Plans for national register of social housing tower blocks</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">08/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Plans for a national register of social housing tower blocks in England <a href="http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.19964/changeNav/14567" title="are being outlined by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA)">are being outlined by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA)</a>. The social housing regulator’s national register will hold details on ownership, the number of properties and the age of the tower block. It will also list the date of the last fire risk assessment and the date of the next assessment. The TSA will begin collecting data from housing associations in February 2010. Phil Morgan, Executive Director, Tenant Services said, ‘The register will be a valuable tool, allowing us to build up a comprehensive picture of tower blocks in England. It will allow us to work with landlords to ensure that they are fully complying with their responsibilities to carry out risk assessments and taking appropriate action so that tenants are properly protected from the risk of fire.’
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-authority" title="local authority">local authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing-association" title="housing association">housing association</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/landlord" title="landlord">landlord</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tenant" title="tenant">tenant</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/health" title="health">health</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/safety" title="safety">safety</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/fire" title="fire">fire</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/assessment" title="assessment">assessment</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/risk" title="risk">risk</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/rates_on_hold_amid_signs_of_recovery">Rates on hold amid signs of recovery</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">08/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee on Thursday voted to <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/feb46332-fb76-11de-93d1-00144feab49a.html" title="keep rates unchanged at 0.5 per cent">keep rates unchanged at 0.5 per cent</a> and to continue with its £200bn quantitative easing programme as further signs of stabilisation emerged across the economy. The decision was widely expected, with the Bank having signalled it intends to make big decisions on monetary policy only when the forecasts in its quarterly inflation report are available. February, therefore, could see the first change in the Bank’s monetary stance since its November decision to increase the scale of quantitative easing –- which has taken the form of purchases mostly of government debt, funded by the creation of money – from £175bn to £200bn. With about £7bn left of that left, most economists expect the Bank to halt the programme, having already slowed the pace from £75bn every three months to £50bn earlier last year to £25bn in November.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="government">government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/debt" title="debt">debt</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/government" title="Government">Government</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/interest" title="interest">interest</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/england" title="england">england</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/money" title="money">money</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/policy" title="policy">policy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bank" title="bank">bank</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/committee" title="committee">committee</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/plans_for_elderly_care_put_essential_services_at_risk">Plans for elderly care put essential services ‘at risk’</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">08/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Frontline services such as social work, meals on wheels and road maintenance may have to be cut to cover the cost of controversial plans for elderly care at home, <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6979815.ece" title="local authority leaders have warned">local authority leaders have warned</a>. The £670 million required to provide free care for those most in need in their own homes — a key government policy — will add pressure to councils already trying to find multimillion-pound savings. A rise in council tax of between 1 and 2 per cent will be needed to meet the cost, while cuts in adult and childrens’ social care services are an ‘unwanted but very real possibility’, council chiefs have said. The draft Bill, set out in the Queen’s Speech in November, was described by Labour peers as an ‘exocet’ on social-care reform and ‘a demolition job’ on budgets, while MPs and care providers have also criticised it for being ill-conceived and uncosted.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/local-authority" title="local authority">local authority</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/children" title="children">children</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="Council">Council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/elderly" title="elderly">elderly</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Council" title="council">council</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/older-people" title="older people">older people</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="Budget">Budget</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/adults" title="adults">adults</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-care" title="social care">social care</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="budget">budget</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/exclusive_paris_mansion_becomes_frances_most_desirable_squat">Exclusive Paris mansion becomes France’s most desirable squat</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">08/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>A £13 million manor house looking out across one of Paris’ most exclusive squares has become France’s most desirable squat. The vast 17th-century property boasts listed rooms with period painted wooden beams and panelling and a spectacular view over the Place des Vosges. It has not been lived in for more than 40 years. The squatters broke into the property to draw attention to the plight of low-paid workers unable to afford housing while countless properties are left vacant. They belong to a group called ‘Black Thursday’, created by four students appalled at the sky-high rents they were required to pay for even the smallest properties. They want <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6947897/Exclusive-Paris-mansion-becomes-Frances-most-desirable-squat.html" title="more social housing">more social housing</a>, which has a waiting list of 1.2 million people, and have the support of local Green and Left-wing politicians.
</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="social housing">social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rent" title="rent">rent</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/social-housing" title="Social housing">Social housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/squatting" title="squatting">squatting</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/waiting-list" title="waiting list">waiting list</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/squatter" title="squatter">squatter</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/house_prices_up_but_are_falls_on_the_horizon">House prices up but are falls on the horizon?</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">08/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>House prices defied the economic downturn last year to rise 1.1 per cent, boosted by a second-half surge in demand from homebuyers. The annual increase was the first rise over 12 months that Halifax, the mortgage lender, has recorded since March 2008. The latest rebound continued in December, with prices rising by 1 per cent over the month, the sixth monthly rise in a row, taking house prices to an average of £169,042 — 9.4 per cent higher than in April last year, when the market bottomed out. Despite the apparent buoyancy of the market, Halifax, now part of Lloyds Banking Group, gave a <a href="http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article6980042.ece" title="cautious outlook for the year ahead">cautious outlook for the year ahead</a>, warning that it expected house prices to remain flat during 2010.
</p>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/mortgage" title="mortgage">mortgage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/buyer" title="buyer">buyer</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/forecast" title="forecast">forecast</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/couples_forced_to_stay_together_by_housing_costs">Couples forced to stay together by housing costs</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">07/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Shelter has <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/news/january_2010/exes_forced_to_stay_together_by_housing_costs" title="launched new research">launched new research</a> showing how the lack of affordable homes in Britain is forcing couples who have split to remain living together. In our survey, nearly a quarter of people – the equivalent of 9.9 million adults - said they or someone they know have had to stay living with their partner because they cannot afford to live on their own. The figures come from new research undertaken by the charity to examine the way unaffordable housing is changing the way we live. Kay Boycott, director of policy and campaigns at Shelter said: ‘As a nation we have accepted the way housing costs have risen hugely over the last few years, but are we ready to accept the human cost this brings?’
</p>
</div>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Shelter" title="Shelter">Shelter</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable" title="affordable">affordable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Shelter" title="shelter">shelter</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/campaign" title="campaign">campaign</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/research" title="research">research</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/survey" title="survey">survey</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/partner" title="partner">partner</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/three_in_four_say_poor_must_not_pay_for_deficit">Three in four say poor must not pay for deficit</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">07/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Crisis has warned that despite the budget deficit, 75% of the British public want the Government to address the growing gap between rich and poor. A <a href="http://www.crisis.org.uk/pressreleases.php/387/three-in-four-say-poor-must-not-pay-for-deficit" title="YouGov poll commissioned by Crisis">YouGov poll commissioned by Crisis</a> also shows that the majority of people in UK (60% of those with an opinion) say that the recession has made them more worried about the gap between rich and poor and the same proportion want to see the poorest protected from budget cuts as they can least afford to pay. Leslie Morphy, Crisis chief executive said: ‘With the election looming, politicians vying for votes must recognise people’s desire for a fairer society. They must not forget those who are poorest, amongst whom homeless people are some of the most vulnerable. They must pledge to protect them.’
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="Budget">Budget</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/vulnerable" title="vulnerable">vulnerable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crisis" title="crisis">crisis</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/Budget" title="budget">budget</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeless" title="homeless">homeless</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/election" title="election">election</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/crisis" title="Crisis">Crisis</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/rich" title="rich">rich</a></p>
</div>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/cold_weather_will_mean_higher_household_energy_bills">Cold weather ‘will mean higher household energy bills’</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">06/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>With demand for gas rising sharply, Britain’s gas reserves are running low, meaning the country is more reliant on imported gas bought on the international market. Imported energy is more expensive, and rising demand across Europe this week caused natural gas prices to jump to their highest level in 10 months. That triggered <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6937323/Cold-weather-will-mean-higher-household-energy-bills.html" title="warnings from energy analysts">warnings from energy analysts</a> that power companies may use the cold snap as justification for another increase in domestic bills. Tom Foulkes, director general of the Institution of Civil Engineers said: ‘To avoid energy crises and price hikes in the future the UK energy sector must urgently build extra gas storage capacity into the network. We simply cannot continue to rely on unpredictable overseas supplies’.
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bills" title="bills">bills</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/energy" title="energy">energy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/household" title="household">household</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/gas" title="gas">gas</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/demand" title="demand">demand</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/capacity" title="capacity">capacity</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/imported" title="imported">imported</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/storage" title="storage">storage</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/power" title="power">power</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/construction_activity_drops_despite_surge_in_housing">Construction activity drops despite surge in housing</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">06/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Construction activity fell in December for the 22nd month in a row as a surge in housing was <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/348cf146-fa63-11de-beed-00144feab49a.html" title="offset by a sharp decline in commercial building">offset by a sharp decline in commercial building</a>. The construction purchasing managers’ index, where any level below 50 signals a drop in business activity, rose slightly to 47.1 from 47 last month. ‘December was another disappointing month for the UK construction sector. Unlike other parts of the economy, it seems unable to escape the shackles of the recession,’ said David Noble, chief executive of the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply. ‘Purchasing managers painted a bleak picture as firms suffered from reduced client demand and falls in new business.’
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/construction" title="construction">construction</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/decline" title="decline">decline</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/industry" title="industry">industry</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/business" title="business">business</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/commercial" title="commercial">commercial</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housebuilding" title="housebuilding">housebuilding</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/repossession_data_exclude_rentbacks">Repossession data exclude rentbacks</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">05/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The number of families forced to hand back the deeds to their home in the recession has been understated, <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f2efea60-f998-11de-8085-00144feab49a.html" title="according to the Conservatives">according to the Conservatives</a>, because the official figures exclude ‘sale and rentbacks’. There were 48,000 repossessions in 2009, compared with 75,000 in 1991 at the peak of the last recession. Labour said the figure, which was lower than some earlier predictions, was proof that its measures had worked. But Grant Shapps, shadow housing minister, has claimed that the true number of people losing their homes is far higher. The total cited by Labour, he said, did not include those homeowners who sold their home to a landlord and rented it back in an attempt to remain in the property.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/repossession" title="repossession">repossession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="recession">recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/property" title="property">property</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/landlord" title="landlord">landlord</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/recession" title="Recession">Recession</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/leaseback" title="leaseback">leaseback</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/sale" title="sale">sale</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/broad_consensus_that_house_prices_are_too_high">Broad consensus that house prices are too high</a></h2>
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<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">05/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Britain’s leading economists are <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1c381c68-f8d0-11de-beb8-00144feab49a.html" title="almost unanimous in their view">almost unanimous in their view</a> that house prices are still too high. Of the 70 who answered the question, 13 believed residential property prices were now fairly valued, while 55 said they were not and two did not express a view. The judgment that the housing market remains overinflated sits uncomfortably alongside extensive evidence that prices are rising rapidly. But the general view is that the recent surge in prices reflects low interest rates and low levels of supply - a situation that cannot last for long. House prices are also likely to be hit by weak income growth and still weak bank lending, economists argue.
</p>
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<div class="blog_tags">
<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/banks" title="banks">banks</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/income" title="income">income</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economy" title="economy">economy</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/lending" title="lending">lending</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house" title="house">house</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/prices" title="prices">prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/consensus" title="consensus">consensus</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/economists" title="economists">economists</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/first-time_home_buyers_at_record_low">First-time home buyers at record low</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">04/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>The number of first-time buyers has dropped to its lowest point in a decade despite a significant rise in the number of affordable homes over the past year, according to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/03/first-time-home-buyers" title="figures released by the Halifax">figures released by the Halifax</a>. Tighter mortgage lending criteria, recent price rises in some areas and lack of money for a deposit meant that an estimated 185,000 first-time buyers entered the market in 2009, four per cent fewer than in 2008 and just over a third of the 532,000 who bought when prices were soaring in 2002. These combined obstacles have pushed up the average age of a first-time buyer from 29 to 30, while the typical age of those buying without financial help from family or friends has risen to 36 from 33 in late 2007.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="affordability">affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/housing" title="housing">housing</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordability" title="Affordability">Affordability</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/house-prices" title="house prices">house prices</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/affordable" title="affordable">affordable</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/buyer" title="buyer">buyer</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/deposit" title="deposit">deposit</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/market" title="market">market</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/first-time" title="first-time">first-time</a></p>
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<div class="blog_item clearfix">
<h2><a href="../../roofblog/2010/01/huge_fire_safety_bills_for_tower_block_residents">Huge fire safety bills for tower block residents</a></h2>
<div class="clearfix">
<div class="post_details">
<p class="blog_date">04/01/2024</p>
<p class="blog_author"><strong>Posted by:</strong><br/>Renata Watson</p>
</div>
<div class="summary">
<p>Thousands of homeowners in municipal tower blocks <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/03/huge-fire-safety-bills-towerblock-residents" title="are facing potentially huge bills">are facing potentially huge bills</a>, as councils rush to improve fire safety precautions in the wake of a blaze in London earlier this year which killed six people. Leaseholders in one high-rise building have already been asked to pay up to £15,000 each, after an emergency fire brigade inspection found a series of potential dangers and ordered immediate work including re-wiring the building and replacing fire doors. Experts on tower block fire safety believe that a significant proportion of high-rise blocks remain unsafe, in part due to a lack of maintenance of features such as fire doors, but also because of botched renovation work over decades.
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<p><strong>Tags: </strong><a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/homeowner" title="homeowner">homeowner</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/bills" title="bills">bills</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/home" title="home">home</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/safety" title="safety">safety</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/fire" title="fire">fire</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/repairs" title="repairs">repairs</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/resident" title="resident">resident</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/fire-door" title="fire door">fire door</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/renovation" title="renovation">renovation</a>, <a href="../../roofblog/tags/tag/tower-block" title="tower block">tower block</a></p>
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