Morning Briefing: inquest to start into former Welsh housing minister’s death

In the news

The BBC reports that today will see the first evidence given to an inquest into the death of Mr Sargeant, 49, who was found dead at his home in 2017 shortly after stepping down from his position.

The former cabinet secretary for communities and children had faced what he called “shocking and distressing” allegations about his personal conduct.

Meanwhile, The Observer has published the results of its research into ‘poor doors’ in new housing developments in London: 18 of the 19 local authorities that responded to the paper’s request for information said their planning policies did not prevent separate entrances for different tenures on mixed developments.

In The Guardian, social policy editor Patrick Butler continues his coverage of Universal Credit, reporting on findings from the housing association Peabody.

According to the research, more than 100,000 children live in families at risk of debt and hardship over Christmas because they are waiting for a Universal Credit payment.

The same paper has a story on the weekend’s protests around Natwest bank, which has come under heavy criticism over its policy not to grant mortgages to landlords that let to tenants on housing benefit.

Branches of Natwest across the country were forced to close by demonstrators, who delivered an eviction letter to staff in Stratford, occupied branches in Manchester and Sheffield, and forced their way into premises in Bristol.

As Inside Housing reported last month, the bank has apologised for a case where a tenant was set to be evicted due to the policy and launched a review.

Elsewhere, the BBC reports on problems faced by a tenant of Nottingham City Council’s ALMO, Nottingham City Homes.

The tenant, Matthew Rhone, has been promised a new water tank after complaining of “worm-like creatures” coming out of his taps.

Finally, yesterday saw housing secretary James Brokenshire on Sky News talking to Sophy Ridge.

Anyone from the social housing sector tuning in, however, may have been disappointed when Ms Ridge and her interviewee had other things on their minds.

The two did not just discuss Theresa May’s Brexit deal in the eight-minute segment, but also found time to address the issue of Matthew Hedges, the academic jailed in the United Arab Emirates for spying and this morning pardoned. There was no mention of housing.

On social media

Today ACORN branches in Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle & Sheffield took action alongside @LDNRentersUnion & @Living_Rent in Scotland against NatWest’s discriminatory policies towards tenants on benefits. They say they are reviewing the policy, watch this space...#YesDSS pic.twitter.com/gdyLogrTnr

— ACORN (@ACORN_tweets)

Today ACORN branches in Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle & Sheffield took action alongside @LDNRentersUnion & @Living_Rent in Scotland against NatWest’s discriminatory policies towards tenants on benefits. They say they are reviewing the policy, watch this space...#YesDSS pic.twitter.com/gdyLogrTnr

— ACORN (@ACORN_tweets) November 24, 2018

What’s on

Today at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, expert witness Dr Barbara Lane will again give evidence.