Author Archives: wendy

Nearly 900 families in fear over ‘the bedroom tax’ in Hinckley and Bosworth

February 10, 2012   benefits, Carers, family

Council tenants in Hinckley and Bosworth could face extra bedroom tax if Government plans get green light

Feb 9 2012 by Ben Eccleston, Hinckley Times

NEARLY 900 families in Hinckley and Bosworth could be hit with an extra tax for under-occupation if a new Government bill gets the go-ahead.

Figures from the National Housing Federation reveal that a total of 889 families living in council homes in the borough could be forced to shell out an extra £498 a year – labelled a bedroom tax – if their homes are deemed too large for the number of people living there.

Read More

Challenging times for affordable housing providers in North Devon

February 9, 2012   Carers, ukcuts

New reforms set to hit social housing groups

Thursday, February 09, 2012

North Devon Journal

Joel Cooper

A HUGE raft of Government reforms and a growing waiting list means challenging times for affordable housing providers in North Devon, a housing manager has warned.

  1. ​

    HARD TIMES: Nigel Barnard.

Nigel Barnard, managing director of Tarka Housing in Bideford, says a combination of funding cuts, welfare reforms and the localism bill could have a big knock-on effect for those living in social housing over the next six months.

Tarka Housing was formed in 2007 when it successfully bid to take over Torridge District Council’s housing service.

The firm controls around 1,800 homes in the Torridge district and also boasts an in-house team which carries out ground maintenance, gas servicing, repairs and decoration.

Read More

End the Care Crisis: Lobby 6th March 2012 in Westminster

February 9, 2012   Carers, family

 

Response to Select Committee care report

 

The Care & Support Alliance has responded to a report from the cross-party Health Select Committee, into social care:

I”The Health Select Committee’s report adds weight to growing evidence from the 60 charities of the Care & Support Alliance that social care funding pressures are leading to a diminished quality of life for disabled adults and older people and increased demand for NHS services.

MPs from all parties share our view with that cutting back on care is not only risking the dignity and independence of older and disabled people, but is ultimately robbing Peter to pay Paul – with the NHS picking up the knock on costs of poor quality care provision, namely distressing and avoidable hospital admissions for the most vulnerable members of society. This cross-party report clearly states that current funding levels are ‘not sufficient to maintain adequate levels of services’ and at a time when we need extra funding to meet rapidly growing demand, Directors of Social Services say that social care budgets fell by £1 billion last year.

Read More