Lunchtime news 2 August 2023

The number of people having their homes repossessed has jumped by 30 per cent over the same period past year, according to latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. An estimated 14,000 properties were repossessed in the first six months – but the data also shows that the number of mortgages in arrears actually fell by 3 per cent.

More than half of London councils are facing a probe by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate over profits they have made from temporary accommodation for homeless people, Inside Housing reports. Councils receive government subsidy to procure private sector housing but many have been inflating the amounts claimed to maximum housing benefit cap levels, the magazine says. Nineteen of London’s 33 boroughs have come under fire for soaring costs, which helped push up the national bill for temporary accommodation to £539 million.

Inside Housing also reveals a ‘plot’ by regional assemblies to obstruct reforms to increase house building announced in the housing green paper. The green paper announced that all regional spatial strategies would be reviewed over the next three years. But assemblies covering areas in the east and south east said they would resist moves to review their plans.

Meanwhile the Housing Corporation broke the 40,000 barrier last year for the first time since Labour came to power, delivering 41,657 affordable homes – 5,000 more than the government target.