In The Loop: 14/01/09

Blue sky thinking to revitalise affordable homes market
"Ministers are looking at detailed plans for a multibillion-pound infrastructure fund to kickstart the stricken housing market. Against the worst conditions for housebuilding for more than 30 years, senior Whitehall officials are drawing up a groundbreaking scheme that would see the public sector inject equity into social housing developments in an attempt to "lever in" insurance and pension funds investment.

The idea is to create a huge cash pool that would see up to £6 of private capital invested by institutions for every pound of government money to dramatically increase the number of affordable homes built in Britain." [Guardian]

Mandelson unveils £20bn plan to free up credit for businesses
"The business secretary, Lord Mandelson, today unveiled a £20bn package of measures to support British businesses as the recession gathers pace, by bolstering the availability of credit from the banking sector.

The government is also bringing in Mervyn Davies, one of Britain's leading bankers, to replace Digby Jones as trade minister. Lord Jones left the government in the last reshuffle." [Guardian]

Quarter of local authorities freeze recruitment due to credit crunch
"Nearly a quarter of local authorities in England have frozen recruitment and more than one in eight have axed jobs in response to a decline in income caused by the credit crunch, the Local Government Association (LGA) said today.

A survey of 154 council chief executives found that 34 have already frozen recruitment as a result of the economic slowdown (22%) and 20 have shed jobs (13%.)" [Guardian]

Thames estuary airport would have 'disastrous' environmental impact, London mayor Boris Johnson told
"Boris Johnson was today warned of "disastrous" environmental consequences if his plans for a new airport on the Thames estuary went ahead.

The Conservative London mayor, who is opposed to a proposed third runway at Heathrow, is pushing the case for a third London airport on the Thames estuary." [Guardian]

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