Morning Briefing: court to rule on government’s benefit cap challenge

News15.03.189.30 AM by Sophie Barnes

The government’s challenge against a High Court decision that the benefit cap is “discriminatory” will be decided today, a council will fine rough sleepers despite local opposition and Barking leader sets out his pitch for investment.

Sharelines

Morning Briefing: Court of Appeal to rule on government’s benefit cap challenge #ukhousing

Morning Briefing: council will fine rough sleepers £100, despite local opposition #ukhousing

Morning Briefing: could Barking become a "mini-Manhattan"? #ukhousing

In the news

Today the Court of Appeal will rule on a benefit cap challenge brought by the government, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

This follows a High Court ruling last year which found that the benefit cap unlawfully discriminates against single parents with children aged under two. You can read our story on that judgment here. The Department for Work and Pensions is challenging this ruling.

Poole Council will fine rough sleepers £100, the latest council to take a tough approach towards homelessness.

The BBC reports the introduction of fines in the town was put on hold after criticism from a local bishop and residents. But the council says the fines will now come into force from April.

An east London borough could be transformed into a “mini-Manhattan” if its council leader gets his way.

At MIPIM in the south of France Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, delivered a presentation to try and attract £2bn investment, the Evening Standard reports.

Mr Rodwell said: “The skyline suggests a mini-Manhattan. But the new-look town centre will not be a playground for the rich – it must deliver truly affordable homes and a range of great leisure and retail facilities for ordinary Londoners.”

Nottingham City Homes has spent more than £10m on buying properties for homeless families to live in while they are waiting for more permanent homes, the Nottingham Post reports.

On social media

The National Housing Federation takes a look at what the Spring Statement means for the sector:

An extra £100m to help deliver more homes in the West Midlands and £1.67bn made available for affordable homes in London — what does yesterday’s Spring Statement mean for housing associations? Our round-up: t.co/xQEGvMv5g9 #ukhousing
— National Housing Fed (@natfednews)
An extra £100m to help deliver more homes in the West Midlands and £1.67bn made available for affordable homes in London - what does yesterday's Spring Statement mean for housing associations? Our roundup: https://t.co/xQEGvMv5g9 #ukhousing
— National Housing Fed (@natfednews) March 14, 2018

And gender pay gap data on property professionals sparks debate:

And we’re sure that these so-called ”property professionals“ are worth every single penny of their well-paid salaries. Also good to see them doing so well on the gender pay gap #camden #ukhousing #renters #GenderPayGap pic.twitter.com/SAVNjgqr46
— CFPT (@CamdenFPT)
And we're sure that these so-called "property professionals" are worth every single penny of their very well paid salaries. Also good to see them doing so well on the gender pay gap #camden #ukhousing #renters #GenderPayGap pic.twitter.com/SAVNjgqr46
— CFPT (@CamdenFPT) March 14, 2018