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Morning Briefing: skyscrapers set to double in London
London’s skyline is set to become increasingly dominated by high rises with the number of towers in the capital expected to double by 2030, it is reported this morning
In the news
The Times and The Guardian both report on figures from industry forum New London Architecture, which show a record 76 tall buildings are due to be completed in the city this year – a three-fold increase on 2018.
Housing shortages are driving the surge in skyscrapers, the papers said.
Meanwhile, Sky News reports on changes to Universal Credit and welfare reforms announced by work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd yesterday affecting disabled claimants.
Ms Rudd admitted benefit assessments for disabled people can make them feel as though they are “on trial”.
MK Citizen reports that auditors are probing whistleblower claims that £15m is “current unaccounted for” in a joint venture regeneration contract which has previously been plagued by service problems.
My London runs a story on the fact that Grenfell United have launched a new petition calling for a new social housing regulator. The petition has already gained more than 4,000 signatures.
Councillors in Portsmouth are concerned after having already spent all their Discretionary Housing Payment allocations by the end of February meaning no top-up money is available in March, per the Portsmouth News.
In Scotland, more than one in three traveller sites are failing to meet minimum standards on safety, security and facilities despite a warning from the Scottish Housing Regulator in October, the BBC reports.
Glasgow housing association Southside has borrowed £30m from Swedish lender Handelsbanken, per The Scotsman.
And Orkney Islands Council has been criticised by unions for deciding to remove overnight staff at a sheltered housing scheme, according to The Press and Journal.
In Wales, the Daily Post says Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Raune has blamed Universal Credit for a 125% increase in people being placed in emergency accommodation by Denbighshire Council.
Back in England, house builder Persimmon, which posted record profits last week, has been criticised in Bristol Live after a couple claimed their new house had more that 700 faults.
The Telegraph carries a piece asking about the morals of ignoring street homeless people asking for change and instead donating to a rough sleeping charity.
And finally, The Guardian runs an opinion piece warning against the perils of selling off large chunks of public land.
On social media
Chartered Institute of Housing president Jim Strang has expressed concern at homelessness figures released for Northern Ireland yesterday:
This is horrendous all these people suffering the misery of homelessness and no devolved government to help them. This really needs to change t.co/T9NoxSVRLg
— James Strang (@strangparkhead)This is horrendous all these people suffering the misery of homelessness and no devolved government to help them. This really needs to change https://t.co/T9NoxSVRLg
— James Strang (@strangparkhead) March 6, 2019
Well-known housing academic Paddy Gray is to give his last lecture at Ulster University today:
I just might 😥 Very fond memories spanning over 30 years teaching excellent students who have done us proud. And your group @EoinJConway will join over 1000 undergrad and postgrad housing students who have gone on to improve lives and communities across the world ;#proudprof t.co/NbQEwLJUV0
— Professor Paddy Gray (@Paddygray1)>I just might \uD83D\uDE25 Very fond memories spanning over 30 years teaching excellent students who have done us proud. And your group @EoinJConway will join over 1000 undergrad and postgrad housing students who have gone on to improve lives and communities across the world #proudprof https://t.co/NbQEwLJUV0
— Professor Paddy Gray (@Paddygray1) March 5, 2019
What’s on
- Prime Minister’s Questions will take place in the House of Commons at 12pm
- MPs will hold a Westminster Hall debate at 4pm on extending the Freedom of Information Act to housing associations and public contractors
- The Chartered Institute of Housing’s Total Housing 2019 event will kick off in Brighton today
