Government cuts 'mixed bag' for housing sector

Hearts and minds

Scrapping Audit Commission was ‘missed opportunity’

The sudden abolition of the Audit Commission was a ‘missed opportunity’ to reassess how the performance of local authorities is monitored, a committee of MPs has found.

CLG deny staff member who insulted Pickles on Twitter is sacked

The Department for Communities and Local Government has denied reports that a member of staff caught tweeting critical remarks about Eric Pickles has been sacked.

Public sector told to make better use of assets

The government has called on councils to make better use of the assets they hold, as it published details of buildings and land owned by public sector bodies.

IDS called on CLG to solve dog track row

The secretary of state for work and pensions called on Eric Pickles to launch an investigation into London & Quadrant’s plans to build on an iconic former dog track, Inside Housing can reveal.

Stuck in the mud

Despite the Localism Act being passed, the role LEPs can play in housing remains uncertain, says Liz Jenkins, partner, and Laura Coates, trainee, at Clyde & Co

Get your Act together

With a host of legal acts coming into effect this year and next, Caroline Thorpe helps you to learn your lines so you can take to the housing stage with confidence

Cheated out of their savings

Abusive financial practices targeting the elderly are on the rise, but so are measures to protect vulnerable housing association residents. Alex Turner reports

The shortlist

Emily Rogers visits the council that is replacing allocation forms with face-to-face meetings to vet prospective tenants

Uncertain times for tenants

Co-operatives need clarification over tenure regime for members, says Brynmor Adams, barrister at Five Paper