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The latest news from all Communities and Local Government sites.

For news releases issued by historical departments (eg ODPM), please visit the COI's News Distribution Service (NDS) website (external link).

• Collapsed building rescue funding for fire services

  Funding to enable each of England's 46 Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) to be capable of rescuing people from collapsed buildings and undertaking mass decontamination of the public was confirmed by Fire Minister Sadiq Khan today.

  • Added: 7 January 2009
  • Site: Corporate

• £18 million deal approved to buy further new homes for affordable housing

  An £18 million deal to provide more affordable housing and help support industry is being announced today, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the housing market.

  • Added: 6 January 2009
  • Site: Corporate

• Fire and Rescue Service pioneers new hi-tech radio equipment

  County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is the first FRS in Great Britain to complete installing new digital radio communications equipment - Firelink - helping to save lives.

  • Added: 23 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• More handy help at home for older people

  Older people are to get more 'handyman' help to carry out repairs to their homes following a £33 million allocation announced today by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews.

  • Added: 23 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Healey - 100 days to bang the drum for new councils

  The 100 day countdown to the biggest transformation of local government for 30 years begins today - a change which will affect over 3.2 million people.

  • Added: 22 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Healey extends flood funding support for two authorities

  Floods Recovery Minister John Healey has today announced that two councils affected by the floods in September will benefit from an enhanced package of financial support from Government.

  • Added: 17 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Government welcomes audit report on fire and rescue service

  The Audit Commission's study published today acknowledges the rapid change England's Fire and Rescue Service has undergone in the last decade.

  • Added: 17 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Review of Councils' publicity rules

  Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today said we need to take a fresh look at the way councils communicate with their communities - while ensuring real value for money and safeguarding the proper use of public funds.

  • Added: 17 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• New proposals to make the 2016 zero carbon homes target a reality

  Housing Minister Margaret Beckett today set out the Government's proposals for making all new homes zero carbon from 2016.

  • Added: 17 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• £400 million deal agreed to provide affordable housing

  A deal worth more than £400 million to help first time buyers aspiring to buy their own home was approved today by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the economy.

  • Added: 15 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Making it easier to change your council's leadership structure

  New proposals to make it easier to get local leaders to hold a referendum on their leadership structure, putting communities firmly in control of their town and council, was published for consultation today by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.

  • Added: 15 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Every Fire Service to get share of £78million to upgrade buildings

  The Government has allocated an extra £78million to the Fire and Rescue Authorities in England to assist them in improving their estate.

  • Added: 15 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• More funding for housing choice

  More tenants will be able to have a greater say over their housing options and where they wish to live following a £1 million allocation announced today by Housing Minister Iain Wright.

  • Added: 12 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Homelessness numbers down by 60 per cent

  National statistics released today show that the number of households accepted as homeless has been cut by 60 per cent since 2003.

  • Added: 11 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Minister announces 2009-10 Disabled Facilities Grant local authority allocation

  Housing Minister Baroness Andrews today announced how much funding each local authority will get to help disabled and older people stay in their homes through the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme.

  • Added: 10 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Government steps up the fight against extremism

  Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today stepped up the fight against extremism...

  • Added: 10 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• £605m for Local Authorities with plans for housing growth

  Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has today announced a £605 million allocation to 163 local authorities with long-term plans to increase house building to meet the needs of their communities.

  • Added: 10 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• New measures to benefit consumers

  A new package of measures to ensure consumers receive improved information in the home buying and selling process was announced today by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett.

  • Added: 8 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• New legislation to help build stronger communities

  The Government today published wide-ranging legislation that will give local people new rights to shape local services and give greater responsibility to local authorities to promote economic development.

  • Added: 5 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate

• Baroness Andrews: New Deal legacy must not be lost

  Communities Minister Baroness Andrews has today called on community leaders from across the country to look to the future and build on the success of the New Deal for Communities programme over the past decade.

  • Added: 4 December 2008
  • Site: Corporate