Council homes at risk in government shakeup
The UK government is currently looking into the situation regarding lifetime tenancies for council homes and the possibility of reviewing housing arrangements on a regular basis. The green paper announced today on social housing appears to indicate that a form of means testing would be instigated in the future and any tenants who could in theory afford their own home could find themselves forced out.
There is a suggestion by housing associations that the move to review use of the 2.8 million council homes still available in the UK is an attempt to deflect criticism of the government's lack of affordable housing. We may have the situation whereby a less well-off person or family are evicted from their home in order to make way for people in a worse situation than themselves. Quite how this is going to pan out in the long term remains to be seen as many who could be potentially affected may well have nowhere to go.
While these moves are still at a very early stage there is concern that we are starting to see a sea change in the government's policy towards council housing which could place many families and individuals in financially challenging situations.
Share this..
Related stories
David Cameron outguns Gordon Brown over MPs expenses
In a startling revelation David Cameron has today shaken the whole UK political scene with confirmation that members of the Shadow Cabinet have agreed to repay a variety of expenses which have received significant criticism over the last few days. Literally thousands of pounds will be repaid relating to furniture expenses, gardening costs and home improvements amongst other things in a move which...
Read MoreEnergy providers take on Ofgem
The scene is set for a major battle between Ofgem, the energy regulator, and the army of UK energy companies. Ofgem has today accused energy companies across the UK of increasing their profit margins at a time when customers are struggling to make ends meet and indeed wholesale energy prices are falling. The regulator estimates that gross margins are now £170 for each dual fuel customer against a...
Read MoreHarry Redknapp charged in relation to tax issues
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he will face court proceedings in the New Year with the news that HMRC will be taking the colourful football manager to court regarding allegations of unpaid tax. While he has received the full backing of the Tottenham Hotspur board of directors, with the company citing the fact this is a personal issue which happen before he joined Tottenham H...
Read MoreUnited Arab Emirates celebrates 38th birthday
What a time for United Arab Emirates to celebrate its 38th year in existence with the Dubai debt crisis creating a large cloud over the area. The behind-the-scenes action continues with regards to Dubai with a general assumption that the Abu Dhabi authorities will step forward to cherry pick the best assets and offer partial assistance to the Dubai government. This is almost certain to happen soon...
Read MoreEU finance minister attempts to reassure the City
Michel Barnier, the new EU finance minister, has today attempted to reassure the City of London that financial rules governing European markets will be dictated by Europe and not by France. Despite the fact that Mr Barnier is a very close political ally of France's president Sarkozy he has begun to try and defuse what has turned out to be a very controversial political argument. There have been...
Read More