Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced a package of measures to revitalise England’s cherished high streets and town centres.
The new rules allowing commercial premises to be converted into homes will help support the creation of much-needed homes while also giving high streets a new lease of life – removing eyesores, transforming unused buildings and making the most of brownfield land.

The Prince’s Trust and the Learning and Work Institute have warned that young people will increasingly bear the brunt of the unemployment crisis.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has launched a multimillion-pound scheme to enable local transport authorities to roll out zero-emission buses.
The Department for Transport says that up to £120 million is being made available through the zero-emission-buses regional area (ZEBRA) scheme, which will allow local transport authorities to: bid for funding to purchase zero-emission buses; reduce the carbon emissions from their local public transport; and improve air quality in towns and cities across England.

Defra has announced the 25 new flooding and coastal resilience projects across England that are being awarded funding.

Patients will benefit from expanded mental health services backed by £500 million, as part of the government’s Mental Health Recovery Action Plan.

Incorrect recycling contributed to more than half a million tonnes of household recycling being rejected at the point of sorting last year.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for £43 million of investment into youth addiction services to prevent lifelong addiction.
The college says that drastic cuts to youth addiction services mean thousands of young people with drug or alcohol problems are missing out on specialist help, potentially sentencing them to a life of addiction.

The LGA has said that immediate action is needed on social care as part of a new long-term plan in the spirit of the post-war reforms.

Bournemouth will be the focus of a ground-breaking pilot scheme this summer which will see drone-based technology used to tackle the issue of litter.