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05/06/2006
Housing benefit cuts for nuisance neighbours
Nuisance neighbours could face reductions in housing benefits if they engage in anti-social behaviour, under new plans announced by the government.
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton announced plans to pilot a scheme which would sanction housing benefit where a person has been evicted for anti-social behaviour and refuses to address their behaviour using the support and help offered to them.
Mr Hutton said that the plan would not change the eviction process, but was about getting people to change their behaviour and would only operate where the household has chosen not to co-operate.
Under the new plans, any person or family that is evicted on grounds of anti-social behaviour would be offered appropriate rehabilitation.
If they do not co-operate, a warning notice will be issued, asking the person or family to engage with the rehabilitation. If this is not complied with, housing benefit will be sanctioned.
The sanction will increase incrementally, with a 10% loss of benefit for four weeks, 20% for a further four weeks and then a total removal for up to five years if they do not co-operate.
Announcing the measure at a Cabinet Committee meeting on anti-social behaviour and the Respect programme, Mr Hutton said: "Communities are fed up of the disruption caused by people who show no respect for their neighbours.
"The threat of sanctioning housing benefit will send clear signals to the handful of people evicted each year for anti-social behaviour that they must address their problem behaviour and engage in rehabilitation.
"It is not right that people who get evicted should be able simply to move to another area and continue their bad behaviour. These anti-social neighbours must realise they have reached the end of the line. The right to housing benefit must and will carry a responsibility to be a decent neighbour."
(KMcA)
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton announced plans to pilot a scheme which would sanction housing benefit where a person has been evicted for anti-social behaviour and refuses to address their behaviour using the support and help offered to them.
Mr Hutton said that the plan would not change the eviction process, but was about getting people to change their behaviour and would only operate where the household has chosen not to co-operate.
Under the new plans, any person or family that is evicted on grounds of anti-social behaviour would be offered appropriate rehabilitation.
If they do not co-operate, a warning notice will be issued, asking the person or family to engage with the rehabilitation. If this is not complied with, housing benefit will be sanctioned.
The sanction will increase incrementally, with a 10% loss of benefit for four weeks, 20% for a further four weeks and then a total removal for up to five years if they do not co-operate.
Announcing the measure at a Cabinet Committee meeting on anti-social behaviour and the Respect programme, Mr Hutton said: "Communities are fed up of the disruption caused by people who show no respect for their neighbours.
"The threat of sanctioning housing benefit will send clear signals to the handful of people evicted each year for anti-social behaviour that they must address their problem behaviour and engage in rehabilitation.
"It is not right that people who get evicted should be able simply to move to another area and continue their bad behaviour. These anti-social neighbours must realise they have reached the end of the line. The right to housing benefit must and will carry a responsibility to be a decent neighbour."
(KMcA)
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A project tackling antisocial behaviour in a popular Wigan park - which saw a 75% drop in calls to police - has been lauded by the Government. Operation Windburn ran in Mesnes Park last summer and was so successful that local authorities plan to repeat the project, which included coaching sessions by Wigan Athletic Football Club, this summer.
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Sheffield to test run new anti-yob measures
Sheffield has been chosen as a 'trailblazer' area to show how new anti-social behaviour powers can be used, the government has announced today. The Yorkshire city will be an area of "sustained action" in dealing with nuisance neighbours, abandoned cars, graffiti and litter. The campaign is backed by £500,000 of government funding.
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Bill aims to trim back high hedge disputes
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