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Seminar: Outsourcing and Contract Procurement
Tue 28 Feb 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
English councils offered cash for new homes
Mon 09 Aug 2010
The government has unveiled plans to hand cash to local authorities in order to encourage the creation of new homes.
Housing minister Grant Shapps said the coalition will match the amount each new property generates in council tax.
He stated that the policy, entitled the New Homes Bonus scheme, will ensure communities reap the benefits of development, and not just the costs.
Mr Shapps told BBC News that the existing system encourages conflict between communities and developers.
However, he said this new strategy would lead to people knowing their area will directly benefit if more houses are constructed.
Indeed, Mr Shapps stated that the money handed to local authorities could be reinvested in projects such as new public services or town centre regeneration.
He added that house building in the UK is now at its lowest level since 1924.
This comes after the National Housing Federation noted that a record 4.5 million people are on housing waiting lists in England.
