Other News In Brief

Multi-Billion Pound Package Announced For New Homes

Eric Pickles has welcomed a new multi-billion pound investment package to build thousands of homes, drive economic growth and create local jobs.

Mr Pickles said the government was determined to support businesses and the housing sector, and the new spending commitments announced today. These include funding for more affordable homes, measures to release swathes of land for development and support for aspiring homeowners to get Britain building, helping hardworking families and supporting local economies.

At the heart of today's package is a £3.3bn programme to deliver thousands of new affordable homes across the country. From 2015, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Greater London Authority will work with housing providers to build 165,000 affordable homes over three years, creating thousands of jobs. This is the fastest annual rate of building for at least 20 years.

The extra investment means that the government will start construction of up to 200,000 new affordable homes in the four years from 2014 to 2015, delivering more new build affordable homes than the previous government completed in any four year period.

Flood-Prone Areas To Be Guaranteed Flood Insurance

Hundreds of thousands of households in flood-prone areas will be guaranteed affordable flood insurance after the government and insurance industry agreed a deal today.

After negotiations with the Association of British Insurers (ABI), this new agreement replaces the current 'Statement of Principles' that runs out at the end of July and will bring peace of mind to people who will soon need to renew their insurance.

The new agreement will cap flood insurance premiums, linking them to council tax bands so that people will know the maximum they will have to pay.

To fund this, a new industry-backed levy will enable insurance companies to cover those at most risk of flooding. All UK household insurers will have to pay into this pool, creating a fund that can be used to pay claims for people in high-risk homes.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: "Flooding is terrible for anyone affected by it. We have worked extremely hard with the industry to reach an agreement on the future of flood insurance. There are still areas to work through but this announcement means that people no longer need to live in fear of being uninsurable and that those at most risk can get protection, now and in the future."

Coventry Man Is Found Guilty Of Murder

A Coventry man, who killed his partner's father and buried his body in woodland after stealing and spending all his money, has been found guilty of murder.

David Novakovic King, 44, was convicted of the murder of Hiralal Chauhan at Leamington Justice Centre today following a seven week trial. He will be sentenced on Friday 28 June.

Hiralal's remains were discovered lying in undergrowth by a local dog walker three years after he went missing.

The father of two, who was aged 57 at the time, was reported missing from his home address in Bowness Close, Radford in June 2009.

Despite extensive police inquiries and several public appeals, Hiralal, who had links with Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester, was never found.

(CD/JP)