The government has announced plans to give councils more powers to tackle the housing crisis.
The government has announced plans to give councils more powers to tackle the housing crisis.
The government has announced plans to give councils more powers to tackle the housing crisis. The government has also announced plans to give councils more powers to tackle the

A city's parks could be funded by an increase in council tax, a report has recommended.

Article: The 10% pay rise has been approved despite Downing Street and a succession of MPs saying it was "not appropriate".
IPSA chairman Sir Ian Kennedy said that MPs' pay had been a "toxic" issue "which had been ducked for decades".
He said the pay rise would not cost any money because it was being combined with cuts to expenses, pension and severance payments for MPs.
The independent watchdog, set up to bring in and run a new expenses and pay system for MPs after the expenses scandal of 2009, says in future MPs' pay would rise in line with average rises in the public sector.
Analysis: By BBC political correspondent Iain Watson
The pay rise for MPs is something which is seen to be perhaps not entirely politically sensible at the moment. Still in an age of austerity, still paying down the deficit, restrictions on public sector pay.
But that said, it's an independent body, IPSA, that's doing it. Their assessment is that MPs are underpaid but that they had far too many generous allowances.
So what they've decided to do is have a series of reforms that don't cost the taxpayer a penny more. So for example, MPs will have a restructured pension scheme and lose some of their expenses, such as for evening meals.
IPSA says this is a very sensible package, but it comes at not a very sensible time if you're an MP, because it looks as though you're getting more than 10% while your constituents are probably having their pay restrained.
That was a change from its earlier suggestion that their pay would be linked to average earnings, which is likely to be higher over the next five years.
The measure being used by IPSA has also been negative in the past as a result of job cuts - and the watchdog's report stated: "If these data show that public sector earnings have in fact fallen, then MPs' pay will be cut too."
A number of MPs - including Education Secretary Nicky Morgan - have said they would give the money to charity, while Labour leadership contenders Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall have said they would forgo the...

Summary: MPs' salaries will rise from £67,060 to £74,000, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has announced.
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Article: Is this dress blue and black or white and gold?
Scottish singer Caitlin McNeill, 21, started the whole debate after posting a picture of #TheDress on her Tumblr blog.
"Two of my very good friends were getting married and they asked me to put together a band to come and play at their wedding in Western Scotland," she's told Newsbeat.
"This was a wedding on the tiny island that we come from on the west coast of Scotland called Colonsay and about 100 people were there.
"A week beforehand the bride had been sent, by her mother, a picture of the dress she was going to wear and when the bride showed her fiance, they disagreed about what colour it was.
"She was like, 'It's white and gold' and he said, 'It's blue and black'.
"So they posted it on Facebook to try and see what their friends were saying but that caused carnage on Facebook.
"We forgot about it until we saw it at the wedding, which the mother of the bride was wearing, and it was obviously blue and black.
"When I got off the island last night, I was sitting in my hotel room and I thought, 'I'll maybe put the picture to my Tumblr followers.' Sometimes Tumblrs debunk these things and I thought they might have some ideas.
Listen to the full interview on Newsbeat's SoundCloud
"I posted it onto Tumblr, it somehow got onto Twitter and then it just went crazy after that."
That craziness has translated into #TheDress trending around the world.
Also trending are #blueandblack and #goldandwhite as well as various other versions of those colours.
Caitlin says she never expected this reaction after posting the picture on Tumblr.
"It's just incredible. I can't comprehend it.
"People have been messaging me saying that all their favourite celebrities are tweeting about it. I can't even believe it's real. I feel like I'm dreaming."
Even though Caitlin originally thought the dress was gold and white herself, she says after seeing it in person it's definitely blue and black.
"When my friend originally posted this picture on Facebook I thought they were just playing an...

Summary: It's the latest story to break the internet - and an optical illusion.
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Article: Greater Manchester - which will take on the powers when electing a mayor in two years - should become a blueprint for other large cities, he said.
A Cities Devolution Bill will be in the Queen's Speech later this month.
Labour claimed the government's "piecemeal approach" could mask big cuts to local councils' spending.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the chancellor hoped the move would "reignite" areas such as Manchester, not just economically but also to renew a sense of civic pride.
But it is also designed to "wrong foot" Labour in their northern heartlands, and to "re-present" the Tories in the north where they have traditionally been "on the back foot", he added.
Speaking in Manchester, the chancellor said the "old model" of running everything from London was "broken" and had unbalanced the economy.
He said it has "made people feel remote from the decisions that affect their lives", and added: "It's not good for our prosperity or our democracy."
Mr Osborne stressed that the government would deliver the devolution to Scotland and Wales it promised.
But he said he wanted to go much further and "deliver radical devolution to the great cities of England" and give them the "levers to grow their local economy".
As part of the devolution plan, only cities that elected their own mayor would be given control of local transport, housing and skills.
"I will not impose this model on anyone," Mr Osborne said, "but nor will I settle for less."
"My door now is open to any other major city who wants to take this bold step into the future."
This is a "revolution in the way we govern England", said.
Last year, leaders of Greater Manchester's 10 councils agreed to the area's first mayoral election, described by Mr Osborne at the time as "a massive moment for the north of England".
The move came two years after the people in Manchester had voted against having a mayor for the city alone.
Under the devolution plans, the mayor would lead Greater Manchester Combined Authority, chair its meetings and allocate...

Summary: English cities will get powers over housing, transport, planning and policing under plans set out in George Osborne's first post-election speech.
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Article: The interim review of Liverpool's green and open spaces, commissioned by Mayor Joe Anderson, suggests an extra Â£4.50 contribution is needed per person.
The proposal to increase council tax is one of 31 recommendations made in green activist Simon O'Brien's report.
He warned that Liverpool was "heading to a brick wall" when it comes to maintaining open spaces in the city.
Mr Anderson explained: "Sadly, the 58% cut to our budget by central government has left us grappling with the challenge of finding new ways to fund non-essential services, including maintenance of and investment in our green and open spaces."
Former Brookside actor Mr O'Brien said: "As central government is cutting money left, right and centre, non-statutory provision is the first thing that goes.
"I've suggested other things like tourist levies, which you can only set up nationally unfortunately. I think if we charge everyone who comes to stay in the city Â£1 a head, this problem goes away but we're not allowed to do that yet.
"If I can see a way that maybe you could commercialise a park - perhaps you could put a cafÃ© or a health centre in and bring in revenue - that's good."
He called for residents to give their feedback before a final report is produced.

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The UK's largest housing authority has said it will not be forced to pay the living wage to its staff.
The council said it would not be forced to pay the living wage to its staff, but would have to pay the living wage to its contractors.
The council said it would not be forced to pay the

An anti-Islam candidate has been allowed to stand for the UKIP leadership.

Article: Four homeless people took legal action against Birmingham City Council, claiming individuals were being denied statutory rights.
But at the High Court, Mr Justice Hickinbottom ruled against all four.
Figures did not support a proposition that as a policy or in practice homeless applicants were being systemically rejected, he said.
The judge said in each of the four cases he had concluded there had been no breach of duty or no substantial breach of duty.
He said the council was the largest housing authority in the country and owned 63,000 "housing units".
In a written ruling, the judge said Birmingham had "substantial areas of significant social deprivation" and the homeless population might be expected to be higher than in other areas.
But he added: "The statistical figures do not give any support to the proposition that, as a policy or approach in practice, the council is systemically turning away homeless applicants."
The judge said claimants who made an application for housing as a homeless person claimed the manner in which the council dealt "with his or her application was unlawful; and, further, that that manner reflected systemic failings".
He stated: "They say that the council, advertently or inadvertently, both in their own specific cases and generally, discourage and divert applications so that individuals are denied their statutory rights to have their situation properly inquired into and be given interim accommodation whilst those inquiries are being made."
But the judge said claimants had failed to prove any breach of statutory duty.

Summary: England's largest housing authority does not "systemically" turn away homeless applicants, a judge has ruled.
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Article: It came as 86 out of 100 MPs asked in another survey said they thought they were trusted by constituents.
The polls were published by campaigners calling for changes to the government's Recall of MPs Bill, which goes before the Commons on Tuesday.
The 38 Degrees campaign group said public trust in politicians had sunk to "crisis point".
Under the government's plans, an MP could be recalled after being convicted of an offence and receiving a sentence of 12 months or less.
MPs could also be recalled if they were suspended from the House of Commons for at least 21 sitting days.
Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith has said the criteria for recall are "too narrow" and has tabled amendments aimed at making MPs more accountable.
Mr Goldsmith believes an MP should be recalled if 5% of voters in a constituency sign a "notice of intent to recall" and 20% of voters then sign a "recall petition".
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, David Cameron suggested the government would listen to proposed changes.
He told MPs: "I will look very carefully at all amendments that come forward because, frankly, in getting this Bill together we have come up with the minimum acceptable for recall, but I think there are a lot of very good arguments to be had about how we can go further, and I look forward to having them in the House of Commons."
YouGov carried out the public poll, of more than 1,600 people. Respondents were asked if they trusted their MP to represent them in Parliament - 24% said Yes.
The survey of MPs was carried out by Dods Polling.
David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, said: "Giving voters the power to get rid of bad apple MPs would be the first step towards restoring people's faith in politics.
"This vote will be the acid test of whether MPs trust their constituents - or whether they want to keep real power locked within Westminster."
Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Quite simply, the voters who have the power to hire MPs should also have the right to fire...

Summary: Less than a quarter of people trust their MP to represent them in Parliament, a survey has suggested.
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Article: Workers directly employed by Holyrood already receive at least the living wage.
But from next year staff employed by contractors will also be included.
The parliament's Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said that about 26 cleaning and catering staff would see their wages rise.
The living wage is more than the UK's National Minimum Wage, which is currently £6.50 per hour.
Ms Marwick said: "I am delighted that - as an employer - the parliament has moved to ensure the Living Wage guarantee now extends to all staff who work directly at the parliament.
"The cost of meeting this commitment is relatively small in financial terms but is hugely symbolic to employees and employers alike.
"Ensuring that employees receive decent pay and conditions is the hallmark of a good employer and I hope that our decision will encourage other organisations across Scotland to make the same commitment to their staff."
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, welcomed the move and said it demonstrated that the Living Wage was a "well-regarded concept that has benefits for individuals, employers and wider society".
£6.50 - UK National Minimum Wage - hourly rate
£7.85 - Scottish Living Wage - hourly rate
26 - Holyrood cleaners and caterers who will benefit

Summary: Cleaning and catering staff at the Scottish Parliament are to be guaranteed the Living Wage of £7.85 per hour.
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Article: Anne Marie Waters, a former Labour activist and founder of the Sharia Watch pressure group, has previously called Islam "evil".
Her leadership bid has split the party, with some MEPs threatening to quit if she was allowed into the race.
But the UKIP National Executive Committee, which vets all would-be candidates, has allowed her to stand.
The other candidates to replace Paul Nuttall - who stood down after UKIP's poor performance in June's general election - are:
Voting papers will be sent to party members over the next few weeks and the new leader will be announced at the party's annual conference in Torquay on the 29th and 30th of September.
Ms Waters's leadership bid was backed by former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson and she has previously been blocked from standing as a UKIP election candidate.
James Carver, UKIP West Midlands MEP, said he "sincerely hoped" Ms Waters did not win - but added that she should be allowed to stand.
He said: "Her train of thought, I think is going about it the wrong way... there are many British Muslims in this country and that is a good thing."
The party's former leader, Paul Nuttall, has previously said her views made him "uncomfortable".
Ms Waters believes her anti-Islam message, including a proposed ban on the burka, the closure of all sharia councils and a temporary freeze on all immigration, will strike a chord with many voters.
She has argued that UKIP could regain support if it had the "guts" to be "honest about Islam" and challenge the view that it had "nothing to do" with jihadist violence.
Last month, former leader Nigel Farage told BBC's Sunday Politics that "if UKIP goes down the route of being a party that is anti the religion of Islam, then frankly it's finished".

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The UK-India Year of Culture 2017 offers an important opportunity for Wales and India to refresh and strengthen these links and also to create new dynamic connections and creative collaborations.
The projects will get a share of the £450,000 India Wales Fund.
It is a joint Wales Arts International and British Council scheme which aims

Eleven arts projects will get funding to take Welsh culture to India as part of the UK-India 2017 cultural season.

Article: The Matterhorn was first climbed on 14 July 1865 by English climber Edward Whymper.
It was an event that attracted worldwide attention and controversy, and, some say, helped the Swiss village of Zermatt become the hugely successful resort it is today.
In the mid 19th-Century, the sport of alpinism was growing in popularity, particularly among the young men of the British upper and middle classes, who were keen to include some mountain climbing in their grand tour of Europe.
By 1865, the great pyramid of the Matterhorn was one of the few unconquered peaks, and Edward Whymper, just 25 years old at the time, had his eye on it.
He had hoped to attempt the ascent from the Italian side, together with fellow climber and mountain guide Jean-Antoine Carrel of Italy, but the plan collapsed when Carrel opted to accompany an Italian climbing party instead.
The competition to be first on the summit was fierce, not just between individuals, but between nations, and Italian sponsors of Carrel's group are thought to have bought off all the other local guides to prevent Edward Whymper from starting his ascent.
In desperation, Whymper arrived in Zermatt, looking for Swiss guides.
Zermatt at the time was one of the poorest villages in the Alps, completely cut off in winter and populated primarily by subsistence farmers. Many were deeply suspicious of the arrival of strangers in their midst.
"People were poor," explains director of tourism Daniel Luggen. "When the first visitors arrived in Zermatt, the local people were afraid the visitors would eat all the food and that they wouldn't have enough to survive the long winters."
Many locals firmly believed the Matterhorn could not and should not be climbed. Superstition was rife, and it was commonly believed that the Matterhorn, which villagers called "Z Hore" ("the peak"), was populated by ghosts and evil spirits.
Nevertheless, there were a few men in Zermatt who were ready to help the "British adventurers". Among them were Peter Taugwalder and his son Peter Jr, both experienced...

Summary: Switzerland is marking the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of its most famous mountain.
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Article: However the subsidy system for single turbine projects will continue, pending further consultation.
In September, Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell had said the change would apply to all projects.
That provoked uproar from farmers who had invested in single turbine applications on the basis that the subsidies would not change until 2017.
Mr Bell said he has now been able to "take a dual approach" following consultation with the UK Department of Energy.
Energy policy is devolved to Stormont, but decisions taken at Westminster have a major knock-on effect.
The subsidy system for renewable energy is being radically scaled back by the Conservative government.
Under the current UK system, all onshore wind energy projects are guaranteed a subsidy.
That system is ending, to be replaced by one in which there is UK-wide competition for subsidy payments.
Renewable development will take place within the UK wherever it is most economic.
The costs of subsidising renewable energy is shared across all UK electricity consumers.
However, if Stormont was to continue with its own more generous system those additional costs would be imposed on Northern Ireland consumers alone..
Mr Bell said that it is in that context which the consultation will take place

Summary: The subsidy system for large on-shore wind energy projects in Northern Ireland will end in April as planned.
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Article: Sixty-one per cent asked thought a 'Yes' vote should make no difference - while 17% said it should lead to more powers for the Welsh assembly.
A further 14% questioned said a 'Yes' vote in Scotland should lead to Welsh people voting for independence.
The poll is part of BBC Wales' Measuring Devolution series.
Commenting on the survey results, Prof Roger Scully of Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre told the Sunday Politics Wales programme: "I think lots of people find it difficult to make the leap of the imagination to understand what a 'Yes' vote in Scotland would mean and what might be its potential implications for Wales.
"At the moment the referendum is still three months away and it's still looking as if a 'No' vote is the more likely outcome.
"A 'Yes' vote is certainly possible and if that did happen it might then start to change the way people in Wales think about things."
He added: "Perhaps the poll also suggests that for many people in Wales what really is most important is not so much the UK as a whole but the union between England and Wales. That's what really matters to them in terms of the way Wales is governed".
The Sunday Politics Wales programme also spoke to the two sides in the Scottish referendum campaign.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie, a supporter of Scottish independence, said a 'Yes' vote would be transformational: "If you want the kind of transformation that the Greens and many others in the radical parts of politics think is necessary, I don't see that happening from the Westminster culture.
"I don't see the opportunity to create that space for change with a 'No' vote. A 'Yes' vote could not only create that change in Scotland, it could stimulate that change in the rest of the UK."
But 'No' campaigner, the Conservative MSP Liz Smith, argued that there was greater security for Scotland by staying part of the UK.
"We are absolutely clear, and I think the vast majority of people in Scotland are absolutely clear if you believe a sway of the opinion polls, that we are better as part of...

Summary: Nearly two-thirds of Welsh voters believe a Scottish vote for independence should not change the way Wales is governed, according to a poll.
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Article: Welsh and Indian creative professionals will travel to each other's countries to work together and produce new works including books, music and dance.
The projects will get a share of the £450,000 India Wales Fund.
It is a joint Wales Arts International and British Council scheme which aims to help build relationships between the two countries.
Performances will take place in India and Wales and some of the work will be available online, with artists and audiences in both countries benefiting from workshops, tours and talks.
The projects include:
The full list of selected projects will be announced at the Wales Millennium Centre by Economy Secretary Ken Skates.
He said: "The UK-India Year of Culture 2017 offers an important opportunity for Wales and India to refresh and strengthen these links and also to create new dynamic connections and creative collaborations."
Indian Honorary Consul to Wales, Raj Aggarwal, said: "Wales and India share a love of music, dancing, theatre and literature so this cultural exchange is a fantastic opportunity for each country to share the heritage of each other's performing arts.
"A collaboration of Welsh, English and Bengali writers will bring together the works of six writers with live performance and the publication of a new tri-lingual work.
"This is an amazing opportunity not just to see and enjoy the other country's culture and talent, but to actually work together to create a hybrid from the two that fuse our nation's cultures in the future."

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