Category: 0 Reviewed

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP calls for an increase in garden towns in England, as he announces the new garden communities programme.

The programme will see more high quality homes built and green spaces created, expanding on government’s plans for more locally-led developments.

The garden towns push in England is part of government’s clear ambition to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s.

Councils across England and private developers who have secured support from local authorities will be able to apply for a place on the programme.

The winning bidders will receive tailored advice and potential grant funding for help with staffing or environmental assessments; part of the planning process for new garden towns.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

This plan is about the government working with councils and developers to get great homes in keeping with beautiful areas in England.

We want to help local authorities build strong and vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and raise families.

Our garden communities programme already has the potential to provide over 200,000 new homes by 2050, and we want to go further.

Strong community involvement and engagement will be at the heart of judging garden community proposals; ensuring developments reflect local character while also designing beautiful green spaces near homes.

Garden communities can take the form of new villages, towns or cities and have the potential to deliver well designed homes at an increased scale, with projects ranging in size from 10,000 to 40,000 homes.

This prospectus is the latest step by government to get Britain building, with 23 locally-led garden communities already receiving funding support, with the potential to deliver over 200,000 homes by 2050.

The launch today signals the start of a 3 month application process, with successful garden community proposals being announced later in the New Year.

Last year 217,000 homes were built, marking the biggest increase in housing supply in England for almost a decade.

Futher information

A garden town is a development of more than 10,000 homes. Garden villages are smaller settlements of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes.

From today (15 August 2018), banks must publish information on how likely people would be to recommend their bank – as well as its online and mobile banking, branch and overdraft services – to friends, relatives or other businesses.

The results come from an independent survey of thousands of personal and small business customers, and must be prominently displayed in banks’ branches, as well as on their websites and apps. This will make it easier for people to find out if another bank has a better offer and has been introduced to drive up competition between banks, so leading to a better overall quality of service for those who use them.

The new measure is one of a number being required by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following its in-depth investigation of the sector. The CMA also requested the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) build on this by making banks release further information on their performance and services to drive up standards, and make it easier for people to judge whether they are with the best bank for them.

Adam Land, Senior Director at the CMA, said:

For the first time, people will now be able to easily compare banks on the quality of the service they provide, and so judge if they’re getting the most for their money or could do better elsewhere.

This is one of the many measures – including Open Banking and overdraft text alerts – that we put in place to make banks work harder for their customers and help people shop around to find the best deals for them.

Banks will now be required by the FCA to publish details of available services and relevant helplines. In addition, the banks will also have to provide information about the number of major operational and security incidents they have experienced, and provide updates on their websites.

From February 2019, the FCA will expect that banks publish figures on how long it takes to open current accounts and replace debit cards.

Christopher Woolard, Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the FCA, said:

Getting a good deal isn’t just about pricing. It’s also important for customers – including individuals and small businesses – to be able to judge the quality of service around their current account and to see whether other providers could offer something that suits them better. This information should encourage providers to offer the services that people value.

Notes to Editors

1. The CMA published its final report, which demanded 17 changes to make banks work harder for their customers, in August 2016.
2. Information on service quality will be published every six months by all British banks and building societies with more than 150,000 personal current accounts (PCAs) or 20,000 business current accounts (BCAs), and all Northern Ireland banks and building societies with more than 20,000 PCAs or 15,000 BCAs.
3. The FCA rules apply to banks and building societies with 70,000 or more personal current accounts or with 15,000 or more small business current accounts.
4. Businesses – such as switching sites and regulated financial technology companies – and consumer bodies will be able to access the underlying customer survey data through Open Banking. These organisations will be able to use the information to make sure people are better informed about what products and services are available, at what price.
5. Enquiries should be directed to the CMA’s press team, press@cma.gov.uk, or 020 3738 6460.
6. For enquiries relating to the FCA’s information requirements, contact the FCA Press Office on 020 7066 3232 or at press.office@fca.org.uk.
7. For more information see the CMA’s homepage, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Sign up to our email alerts to receive updates on the markets cases.

As young people in England and Wales await their A-level results on Thursday 16 August, the proportion of young people who are unemployed and not in full-time education is at a record low of 4.7%.

Meanwhile, there are also a record number of older people in work – over 10.2 million.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey said:

With the unemployment rate falling further to just 4%, and youth unemployment down over 45% since 2010, school leavers this week can look forward to a growing jobs market, improving the prospects for their future careers.

In fact, the UK’s vibrant jobs market is benefiting people across the board. Record rates of ethnic minority people in work also show that more families across our society are benefiting from the security of a job, with wages also on the increase.
We have some of the most creative, innovative and hard-working young people in the world and this summer I’ve been urging them to take on a summer job, gaining ‘soft skills’ – or as I call them, essential skills – for their future careers.

Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma said:

With the unemployment rate at a 43-year low, it is also very good that we are seeing wages continuing to outpace inflation for the fifth month in a row.

We’ve backed businesses to create jobs and reformed welfare to make work pay, and thanks to the government’s policies and employers’ confidence in the British economy we have seen over 3.3 million more people employed in our country since 2010. Over 75% of these people are employed in permanent jobs and full-time jobs and over 70% in higher-level occupations which pay higher wages.

Today’s figures also show:

• older workers also continue to find work as the number of workers aged 50 and over is at a record high of 10.21 million
• the BME employment rate is at a record high of 65.5%, an increase of 1% on the year
• since 2010 the majority of employment growth has been in both full-time and permanent roles
• there was also a large fall in zero-hour contracts in April to June 2018, making up only 2.4% of people in employment – a fall of 104,000 on the year

The government has reformed welfare to make work pay, backed businesses to take more people on, and built a stronger, fairer economy.

More information

Contact Press Office

Follow DWP on:

• Twitter – www.twitter.com/dwppressoffice
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/dwp
• LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/dwp
• YouTube – www.youtube.com/dwp

Having considered responses to the provisional findings of its Phase 2 merger inquiry published in June, and further analysis of the evidence, an independent inquiry group from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned the merger between European Metal Recycling (EMR) and Metal Waste Recycling (MWR) could lead to a worse deal for customers and suppliers.

The inquiry group’s final report of the in-depth (phase 2) investigation, published today (14 August), said the merger would harm the choices available to suppliers (such as car breakers) that supply shredder feed (scrap metal that needs to be shredded) in the South East of England, and others such as car manufacturers that sell large volumes of scrap metal through tendered contracts in the West Midlands and the North East of England.

It also found that the merger is likely to lead to a worse deal for customers in the UK that buy a certain type of scrap metal known as new production steel.

The CMA is requiring that EMR sell 5 of the sites it bought from MWR: three in the West Midlands, one in the North East and one in the South East.

In other areas of the business, including the buying (not via a tendered contract) and selling of general scrap metal, the CMA did not find the merger would substantially weaken competition.

EMR is the largest recycler of scrap metal in the UK, while MWR is the fourth largest.

Inquiry chair Lesley Ainsworth, said:

Having an efficient and competitive metal recycling industry is good for the environment and is important for both suppliers and waste metal customers, including those in the automotive and steel manufacturing industries.

Over the course of our inquiry we surveyed, spoke to or received comments from over 850 suppliers and customers. The evidence shows that EMR’s purchase of MWR is likely to harm competition in a number of areas and there is a material risk that prices for some suppliers and customers could worsen.

To ensure competition is maintained, we are requiring EMR to sell off some of the sites that it bought from MWR.

Further details are available on the investigation case page.

Notes to editors:

1. The CMA is the UK’s primary competition and consumer authority. It is an independent non-ministerial government department with responsibility for carrying out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries and enforcing competition and consumer law.
2. For CMA updates, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
3. The companies buy scrap metal from factories, car breakers, local authorities and other sources – providing a waste removal and recycling service to thousands of organisations in the UK – then process it before export or sale to UK metal mills and foundries. The CMA is requiring that EMR sell three sites in the West Midlands, one site in the North East, and one site in the South East.
4. Shredder feed is specific grades of scrap metal that require processing using a shredder (a large piece of recycling equipment), for example end of life vehicles.
5. The EMR/MWR inquiry group consists of Lesley Ainsworth (Group Chair), Richard Feasey, Andrew Popham and Stuart McIntosh.
6. The CMA referred the merger for an in-depth phase 2 investigation in February 2018, after an initial inquiry found that the merger may raise concerns.
7. All the CMA’s functions in phase 2 merger inquiries are performed by independent inquiry groups chosen from the CMA’s panel members. The appointed inquiry group are the decision-makers on phase 2 inquiries.
8. The CMA’s panel members come from a variety of backgrounds, including economics, law, accountancy and business; the membership of an inquiry group usually reflects a mix of expertise and experience (including industry experience).
9. Media enquiries should be directed to the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk

Thousands of rough sleepers will be offered rapid specialist assessments and support, as part of a package of new measures announced in the government’s rough sleeping strategy.

Launching the strategy today (13 August 2018), the Communities Secretary will confirm government’s ambition to halve rough sleeping on England’s streets by 2022 and end it altogether by 2027.

The strategy will be backed by an additional £100 million and developed across government in conjunction with charities and experts. It lays out a 3-pronged approach to tackling rough sleeping, including:

• preventing rough sleeping by providing timely support to those at risk
• intervening to help people already on the streets get swift, targeted support
• helping people recover, find a new home quickly and rebuild their lives

The key focus of the plans will be to stop people becoming homeless in the first place. Those in crisis will get swift, targeted support to help them off the streets and into long term accommodation, where they will be supported as they tackle issues that may hamper efforts to rebuild their lives.

The new plan recognises that a housing led approach – giving people their own front door – is vital to restoring dignity and a sense of security, hope and recovery.

The Prime Minister Theresa May said:

Nobody should have to sleep rough, and that’s why we must do all we can to help the most vulnerable in our society get the support they need.

But we recognise this is a complex issue – as well as ensuring people have somewhere to live, we have to deal with underlying problems and ultimately help people turn their lives around.

The strategy launched today will help us act to prevent rough sleeping before it happens and make sure targeted support is reaching those that need it.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

It is simply unacceptable that people have to sleep on the streets and I am determined to make it a thing of the past.

Whether people are at risk of rough sleeping, already on the streets or in need of settled accommodation, we have a solid plan to help the most vulnerable in our society.

And this is not just about putting a roof over their heads, but helping them find a place to call home.

These vulnerable people need our support and, through our expert-backed strategy, I am confident they will get it.

The government has also announced that it will carry out a review of legislation around homelessness and rough sleeping, including the Vagrancy Act, to ensure the best measures are in place and that rough sleepers are not discriminated against.

Plans outlined in the strategy include:

Preventing rough sleeping by providing timely support to those at risk.

For example:

• piloting suitable accommodation and tailored for those leaving prison so they don’t end up on the streets
• researching the nature and scale of LGBT homelessness to determine what measures need to be put in place to prevent this
• making sure that authorities investigate rough sleeper deaths to understand and tackle the root causes
• extending the Homelessness Reduction Act to ensure that more people get the help they need faster

Intervening to help people already on the streets to get swift, targeted support.

For example:

• rolling out a new initiative to help up to 6,000 people who are both new to the streets and vulnerable to rough sleeping, offering support to rapidly identify issues that led them to sleeping rough
• introducing ‘navigators’ – specialists who will act as trusted confidantes – who will help people sleeping rough access the appropriate services and accommodation
• up to £30 million for mental health treatment, informed by the findings of a health provision audit to be carried out this year
• providing training for frontline staff on how to best help people under the influence of Spice and those who are victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery, as well as how best to support homeless LGBT people

Helping people recover, find a new home quickly and rebuild their lives.

For example:

• building affordable accommodation for those leaving hostels and domestic abuse refuges, and to support them in managing this accommodation.
• investing money from dormant bank accounts into housing for those on the streets or at risk of rough sleeping
• launching a new fund to help up to 5,000 former rough sleepers and those at risk to sustain their tenancies by working with them to boost financial independence and access training and employment opportunities
• launching a £50 million fund for homes outside London for people ready to move on from hostels or refuges but need additional support

Stakeholder comments

Rick Henderson, Chief Executive, Homeless Link

Homeless Link welcomes this strategy as a positive starting point setting out a range of initiatives that could make a significant impact on reducing rough sleeping. We welcome the recognition of the role of all government departments and public services including health, care, substance misuse and criminal justice in preventing and ending rough sleeping.

The voluntary sector has a critical role to play in ending rough sleeping and we are pleased that recommendations from our members have been included in the strategy. We will continue to work with our members and government to ensure this plan is built on and progress made on tackling the structural causes of rough sleeping including action on reducing poverty, urgently addressing the chronic shortage of low cost housing and ensuring an effective welfare safety net.

Jean Templeton, Chief Executive, St Basils

Somewhere safe to stay has to be the bottom line for all; with help to find it and to ensure that you are able to secure support you need from mainstream services. For the most vulnerable with least access to resources, extra help is critical. Therefore we welcome the proposals in this rough sleeping strategy and the recognition of the urgent need for resources.

However, this is just the start and we will continue to work with government to ensure that the wider systemic issues which drive all forms of homelessness are addressed, including access to affordable housing, to mental health services and welfare support which provides true ‘social security’.

The last thing we want is people having to reach crisis before they receive the assistance they need.

Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive, St Mungo’s

Rough sleeping is harmful, dangerous and dehumanising and we share the government’s aim that no one should have to sleep rough. This strategy is a really important first step towards meeting the 2027 target and shows the government is serious about understanding the problem and getting the right support to people at the right time.

There is more work to do, especially when it comes to providing enough stable, safe and affordable housing, but I am encouraged the government has taken on board many of the Rough Sleeping Advisory Panel’s recommendations.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive, Crisis

Crisis is pleased to welcome this important step towards ending rough sleeping by 2027. Short term measures, such as new funding for non-UK nationals who sleep rough and for dedicated outreach teams will provide welcome relief for those facing the hardships of life on the streets.

Once people are off the streets, a commitment to a rapid rehousing model can ensure that they never find themselves in this position again.

It is also important the strategy acknowledges that the policies that prevent homelessness, such as the supply of social homes and a benefits system that covers the costs of housing, must be addressed. We look forward to welcoming the practical and concrete steps needed to tackle these issues.

If we’re to end rough sleeping, a bold, housing-led approach to tackling the problem is required, alongside a robust strategy to prevent people from becoming homeless that involves departments from across government. We stand ready to work with the Government to meet its ambitions.

Bill Tidman, Chief Executive, Thames Reach

We welcome this strategy and the investment it represents, and believe it’s an encouraging start to ending rough sleeping.

We particularly welcome dedicated funding from the Department of Health, and the commitment this provides to ensuring that homeless people have access to the health services they need; as well as the recognition of the specific needs of migrant rough sleepers, who currently have few realistic options available to them.

The real work now begins on implementing this strategy, and making sure we listen and learn from all lessons along the way.

Further information

Our strategy is backed by a detailed programme to help people in the short term and long terms with the government providing £1.2 billion of funding to address homelessness as a whole.

This release details £100 million of investment over the next 2 years to tackle rough sleeping.

We have asked the NHS to spend up to £30 million on health services for people who rough sleep, over the next 5 years. This is in addition to the £100 million.

For further details on the breakdown in funding, please see the strategy for more information.