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Morning Briefing: denying benefit claimants a home could break equality law
Letting agents and landlords who reject housing benefit claimants could be breaking equality laws after a potential landmark court battle.
In the news
The BBC is reporting that a woman denied a home in Birmingham when the lettings agent found out she was receiving housing benefit has won compensation, with the lettings agent admitting to indirect sex discrimination.
Rosie Keogh, who was supported in her case by Shelter, successfully argued that because women are more likely to claim housing benefit, bans on claimants discriminate against female applicants.
Meanwhile, after rapper Stormzy lent his support, a petition on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry surged past the 100,000 mark. The Independent has the story.
The petition, which Parliament must now consider for a debate, calls on Theresa May to appoint new panel members more able to represent those affected by the fire.
The Sunday papers covered a few housing angles, with the Sunday Times again running a piece on the difficulties faced by families attempting to buy.
The Observer, meanwhile, focused on local authorities, with economics editor Phillip Inman writing on some of the alternative ways councils are attempting to boost delivery.
Covering local housing companies, Mr Inman references recent research by Inside Housing showing that almost a quarter of councils have invested £130m in setting up local housing companies since 2012.
On social media
Beautiful, legendary people. Job done ❤️ t.co/Xg1huhT5pr
— #GSAP (@Stormzy1)Beautiful, legendary people. Job done ❤️ https://t.co/Xg1huhT5pr
— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) February 23, 2018
What’s on
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee will grill civil servants and a minister from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at 4pm today on the Draft Tenants’ Fees Bill.
