62 h. ago In Somerset, I found glorious proof that the UK can build great council houses. So what is holding us back? | John Harris

It was life-affirming to meet the residents of Rainbow Way in Minehead. But so much still stands in the way of Labour’s vision for social housing I met Carole Guscott, a retired former carer, on a clear winter’s morning in the Somerset town of Minehead. She was walking her whippet, Gracie, on the way back to her new flat, past the local Premier Inn and on to a cul de sac called Rainbow Way. “I knew as soon as I saw it,” she told me. “I just thought: ‘I can make this place my home.’”Up until recently, she was living in a private rented place near the centre of town and paying £780 a month in rent. For four years she had known that Rainbow Way was being built. She also knew that its houses and flats were an example of something that is vanishingly rare in post-Thatcher Britain: new council housing, which meant security for the people chosen to be the tenants but also intense competition for places. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago I was thrilled with the chic makeover I gave my home – cruel trolls say it’s like Molly

WHEN it comes to decorating your home, you often take inspiration from others. But one woman has hit back at cruel trolls who claim she has Molly Mae's house on a budget. Taking to social media, the woman has been showcasing her home transformation and revealed her new front room. The design played with neutral...

Politics

4 d. ago Mums of teens whose brutal attacks were filmed for online back progress on social media ban for kids

A ban on social media for under-16s has been backed by the House of Lords.

Events

4 d. ago Residents in legal fight to halt demolition of Clockwork Orange estate | Social housing

Residents in legal fight to halt demolition of Clockwork Orange estate | Social housing  The Guardian

Politics

5 d. ago Council to offer £2,500 incentive to help social housing tenants to downsize

Figures show that up to a third of social housing - with a 20,000 household waiting list - is 'under-occupied'

Economics

7 d. ago Taoiseach should visit White House amid Greenland row – Government minister

The Minister for Social Protection said, if invited, the Taoiseach should visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

Politics

7 d. ago South Lanarkshire Council to boost social housing in Hamilton

The properties will be built at Almada Street in Hamilton and will help meet the growing demand for affordable and secure housing in the area.

Politics

8 d. ago Motherwell councillor urging constituents to attend consultation event for planned new housing

The council is proposing to build around 26 social houses for rent on vacant land at Dalzell Drive that is immediately adjacent to the motor showroom.

Politics

1 week ago Six arrested in £300m social housing fraud probe in London and Italy

Five men and one woman aged between 40 and 80 were arrested on suspicion of fraud and bribery offences

Economics

1 week ago Six arrested in £300m social housing fraud and bribery probe

Six arrested in £300m social housing fraud and bribery probe  BBC

Economics

1 week ago Arrests in Greater Manchester under Serious Fraud Office probe into 'past management' of social housing company

'Vulnerable people were promised homes while investors were promised returns'

Events

1 week ago Major social housing firm probed over £300m fraud and bribery allegations

Home REIT - which owned thousands of homes intended for homeless and vulnerable people - is being probed over suspected fraud and bribery offences worth an estimated £300million

Economics

2 w. ago Council approves average rent hike of £200 a year for social housing tenants

Residents will pay more for their rent.

Economics

2 w. ago Smithsonian removes reference to Trump’s impeachments after administration complained, report says

The White House shared the new portrait on social media earlier this week

Politics

2 w. ago Domestic abusers could be forced out of social housing under new powers for Scots landlords

New regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament will finally bring into force provisions that formed part of a domestic abuse law passed nearly five years ago.

Events

2 w. ago London councils split on taking part in £200m social housing scheme for asylum seekers

Hackney Council is keen to take part in the program, but Hillingdon said it will not ‘prioritise asylum seekers ahead of longstanding residents’

Economics

2 w. ago Social housing tenants could pay £200 a year more in rent increase

An opposition councillor has criticised the plan.

Economics

2 w. ago Trump pulls US out of 66 international bodies, including key UN climate treaty

President’s order suspends support for UNFCCC climate framework, UN population agency and other entitiesThe Trump administration will withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, as the US further retreats from global cooperation.Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending US support for 66 organizations, agencies and commissions following his instructions for his administration to review participation in and funding for all international organizations, including those affiliated with the UN, according to a White House statement on social media. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago London and commuter town councils bid to be part of £200m scheme to build homes for asylum seekers

The proposals have sparked controversy, particularly in areas with high-cost housing and where thousands of people are on waiting lists for social properties

Economics

4 w. ago Car sales tycoon puts £800k land he bought for social housing that was never built on sale for £5MILLION

Peter Waddell, founder of used car supermarket Big Motoring World, snapped up the disused plot in Barwick Road, Dover, with a 'cheeky bid' of £800,000 back in 2020.

Economics