Cities must improve technology planning to prevent economic segregation
A report published by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has called upon councils to improve planning in the technology sector to spur growth and prevent incidences where digital benefits are concentrated to particular areas.
Benefit cuts lead to delayed sheltered housing development, BBC reports
The BBC has reported that hundreds of planned new sheltered accommodation units have been delayed or scrapped owing to proposed cuts to housing benefits.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight councils reject ‘metro mayor’ proposal
As part of their devolution deal, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight councils have announced that they reject the government’s proposal to have a directly elected mayor.
Help to Buy creates 43 per cent additional new homes
According to an evaluation of the Help to Buy equity loan scheme, commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, 43 per cent of newly built homes have been achieved directly as a result of the programme.
Neglected urban spaces to be transformed into ‘pocket parks’
Communities Secretary Greg Clark has announced that over 80 spaces of neglected urban area across the UK will be transformed into green ‘pocket parks’.
LGA calls for restaurant chains to publish calorie information
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the government to require pub, restaurant and cinema chains to publish the calorie content of their food and drink.
Early council tax leads developers to leave homes unfinished, FMB warns
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has cautioned that the changes to council tax charges could create ‘perverse incentives’ which discourage developers from finishing homes before selling them.
Ahead of the Budget Statement, the FMB argued that it has become common practice for local authorities to impose council tax charges on new homes before the properties are completed. The organisation has claimed that practice could result in a decline in the rate of new houses being put on the market.
Under new plans announced by Nicky Morgan, minister for Women and Equalities, companies will be forced to reveal the number of men and women in each pay grade, revealing potential gender pay gaps.
