Local Government
We asked six leading experts to give their verdict on the events of 2011 in the key areas of public services, local economic development, civil society, poverty, sustainability and housing and suggest the way forward in 2012. In our fourth instalment, Brendan Nevin argues there’s a mismatch between the coalition government’s approach to housing and the social and economic reality on the ground
As the second year of the coalition government comes to a close the shape of its housing policies and the constraints of power are beginning to become evident. The comprehensive spending review in 2010 set out a radical course of action with housing been driven nationally by the Department for Work and Pensions through the reform of housing benefit (the largest housing budget) while the Department for Communities and Local Government reduced capital expenditure on new housing construction and renovation by 74%.
Clare Corran explains how a scheme born out of tragedy in London has become a powerful tool against crime in Liverpool and a lifeline for young people
Members of the C.A.K.E group in London visiting the Mizen family.In May 2008, 16 year old Jimmy Mizen was murdered in a south-east London bakery. During an argument with Jimmy the perpetrator threw a glass dish, wounding Jimmy in the neck. The bakery proprietor didn’t know what to do, so did nothing and Jimmy died of his injuries.
