A series of directories listing detailed information on health initiatives for black and minority ethnic groups has been launched by the Health Department.They are part of the Government’s programme to ensure the health needs of the diverse ethnic minority population are recognised and met. 

The body that represents housing associations has given strong support to many of the Government’s proposals for welfare reform outlined earlier this summer in its green paper ‘New Contract for Welfare’.But the National Housing Federation says the single biggest obstacle to reform is the current regulation around housing benefit.
It says that the benefit, which helps pay the housing costs of families with low incomes, needs simplifying.