In the news this morning, care home fees are soaring, rising by 23% over a 12-month period. The information commissioner has reopened a file on construction industry blacklisting, amid fears the practice could be continuing. The right to contest scheme, designed to free up public land for development, has resulted in only five sales since 2014.
Care home fees up nearly a quarter (The Telegraph/FREE)
Care home fees have risen by 23% over the course of a year, but the quality of services on offer has dropped, the latest league tables show.
Construction industry blacklisting file reopened (The Guardian/FREE)
Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham has reopened the file on construction industry blacklisting amid concerns it could still going on.
Five sites sold under right to contest (FT/£)
Only five central government sites have been sold since 2014 under the right to contest scheme.
Doubt cast on rules protecting historic views (The Times/£)
Rules meant to protect historic views may be too weak, according to campaigners who say the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from King Henry’s Mound in Richmond Park has been destroyed by a skyscraper behind the dome.
Restaurants at risk after sterling’s fall (The Guardian/FREE)
More than 5,500 restaurants are at risk of insolvency as the fall in the pound after the Brexit decision caused prices of imported foods and drinks to rise, according to accountancy firm Moore Stephens.
Redrow boss criticises rules on great crested newts (The Times/£)
Redrow chief executive John Tutte has criticised planning regulations that companies must follow if they are to build near a colony of great crested newts.
Call for clearer protection for national parks (The Times/£)
National parks should be given much clearer protection by the government in its upcoming environment plan, according to the Campaign for National Parks, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust.
Corbyn’s childhood home for sale (The Times/£)
The home where Jeremy Corbyn grew up, Yew Tree Manor, is on the market for £650,000.
Shop prices continue to fall (The Times/£)
Prices in shops are continuing to fall, with the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium and Nielsen revealing a 1.7% fall in November.
Burberry rejects Coach talks(FT/£)
Burberry has rejected a number of approaches by US fashion accessories group Coach over the last few months, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
No sign of UK economy rebalancing (The Telegraph/FREE)
There is no sign of the UK economy rebalancing, according to economists at EY.
