Crisis policy bulletin
The bulletin contains links to relevant reports, papers and news items concerning homelessness and social exclusion. Click here to subscribe to the weekly policy bulletin - keeping you up to date with developments within the homelessness and social exclusion sectors.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, please click here.
Scroll down to find links to reports on homelessness, benefits, housing, drugs and more. Click on the titles to visit an archive of past links.
Please email any comments or suggestions to the policy team at policy@crisis.org.uk or call 020 7426 3878.
Click here to view the archive
DRUG AND ALCOHOL MISUSE - show archive
26/06/2009
Alcohol Concern; News
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1476
One in 25 deaths linked to alcohol
Summary: The Lancet claims that worldwide, 1 in 25 deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption. Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker commented: "This worrying situation is unfortunately reflected in England, where we have seen deaths caused by alcohol increase almost a fifth since the beginning of the decade.
"While the main cause remains alcoholic liver disease, it's also important to remember that alcohol can contribute to a range of cancers, strokes and heart problems. This is not to mention its role in accidents and violence."
29/06/2009
Number 10; News
www.number10.gov.uk/Page19835
Brown pledges 2.1 billion pounds for housing
Summary: Gordon Brown has pledged 2.1 billion pounds to ensure that 20,000 new affordable homes are built within the next two years. Announcing the Government's 'Building Britain's Future' plan to the House of Commons, Brown said that the new figure has more than tripled the 600 million pounds that was set aside in this year's budget.
Social housing will also be prioritised for those with local connections. Brown adds: "By building new homes we will allow local authorities to give more priority to local people who have been on waiting lists for far too long"
26/06/2009
Inside Housing; News
www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6505211
Places for People to offer mortgages on its own homes
Summary: Housing association Places for People is offering its own mortgage range on a development of 300 homes, including a buy-back guarantee to protect buyers against negative equity.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT - show archive
26/06/2009
Inside Housing; News
www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6505234
Local Authorities lose 73% of their income from housing sales
Summary: The latest government figures for 2008/09 local authority capital expenditure and receipts show that councils in England made just 442 million pounds from the sale of fixed housing assets, which would include the right to buy, compared with 1.65 billion pounds in 2007/08.
LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE - show archive
25/06/2009
DWP; News
www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lha-consultation-0609.pdf
DWP proposes to end excess housing allowance payments
Summary: The Department for Work and Pensions has published a consultation document with proposals to make amendments to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). It proposes that the 15 pounds excess payment is removed in cases where the LHA rate is higher than the contractual rent.
THE THIRD SECTOR - show archive
26/06/2009
Cabinet Office; News
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/...
Hardship Fund to be delivered by the Community Development Foundation
Summary: The Hardship Fund, worth 16.7 million pounds, will provide grant support to third sector organisations delivering front line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. The Fund will be delivered by the Community Development Foundation and will be open for applications by the end of July.
24/06/2009
Centrepoint; News
www.centrepoint.org.uk/be-informed/media-centre/centrepo...
Centrepoint fears youth unemployment rise
Summary: The unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds now stands at 16.6%, the highest it has been since 1993. The Office for National Statistics has found that young people have been particularly hard hit by the recession.
Seyi Obakin, CEO of Centrepoint, said: "Our figures show that homeless young people are finding it increasingly difficult to find work. This situation will be exacerbated this summer as the new cohort of new school leavers and graduates begin to look for work."
WELFARE BENEFITS - show archive
25/06/2009
DWP; News
www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ifd250609benefits.pdf
DWP Publishes report on benefits take-up
Summary: The Department for Work and Pensions has published the latest estimates of the take-up of the main income-related benefits in Great Britain: Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance.
Crisis holds no responsibility for the information contained in any of the websites referenced in this webpage.
