The Government has been accused of threatening to undermine urban regeneration in the West Midlands. The claim comes from the Campaign to Protect Rural England which fears that having rejected the Regional Assembly’s proposals for 365,000 new homes in the next 20 years Ministers are seeking to increase that figure to 420,000. The Assembly itself is also questioning the Government’s position.

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The Government has repeated its commitment to long-term support for local authorities in those areas that were most badly affected my last summer’s floods. Further payments have been announced for two councils, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough and West Lindsey District, to help with recovery costs.

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This document sets out a vision for major reform of the adult social care system. It presents a shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult services. The ultimate goal is that every locality will have a single community based support system focused on the health and wellbeing of the local population. This will involve bringing together local Government, primary care, community based health provision, public health and social care. It will also require the joining up of the wider issues of housing, employment, benefits advice and education and training.

Read more on PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST…