Press release: Government sets out £24 million for Greater Manchester following 2017 terror attack

Recognising the exceptional response required by the city as a result of this cowardly act, the Prime Minister has today reaffirmed that the government will provide financial support for key services and first responders, including a new £4.1 million commitment for all NHS acute costs and the North West Ambulance Service, and over £2 million for mental health support.

The total package includes:

  • Over £9 million for policing
  • Over £1 million to support the important work of the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, in partnership with the British Red Cross
  • £451,000 for social care costs
  • £2.6 million for a mental health hub – in addition to £53,800 for psychological support
  • An £80,000 hardship fund for small businesses affected by the attack
  • Full coroner and inquest costs

While this funding is focussed on covering the costs faced by emergency services and Greater Manchester City Council, £250,000 has also been provided to Marketing Manchester through the Discover England Fund to support them as they continue to promote the city and region.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, said:

Following last year’s terrible attack the strength and resilience of Manchester captured the nation – and nowhere was this more apparent than at the One Love Concert and city vigils where people joined together not only in grief, but to demonstrate to terrorists that they will never win.

We were clear immediately following the attack, just as we are now, that the government will do everything it can to respond to the needs of victims of terror.

That is why we have ensured that resources will be available to support victims as they continue to rebuild their lives, and to meet the costs placed on Manchester’s emergency services, City Council and health and social care providers in dealing with this tragic and exceptional event.

Officials in the Cabinet Office-led taskforce and across departments will continue to work with the Greater Manchester Authority as these funds are delivered to ensure Manchester remains a vibrant, resilient city.

Today’s funding announcement will ensure all exceptional costs met by Manchester as a result of the attack are covered, alongside support for victims of the attack.

Further requests for central government to cover the locally commissioned Lord Kerslake Review, transport costs – which are a commercial matter for insurers – and additional tourism promotion have not been met.



Press release: Housing funding boost to make more homes accessible for elderly and disabled people across England

Picture courtesy of Peoplecreations.

More elderly and disabled residents will be able to make adaptations to their homes so they can live independently and safely thanks to an extra £42 million of government funding confirmed by Housing and Homelessness Minister Heather Wheeler today (24 January 2018).

The funding for local housing authorities can be used to make a range of adaptations to a disabled or elderly person’s home. Some of these changes are low cost but can make a big difference to the person’s quality of life such as grab rails which can be installed for as little as £30 but can prevent a serious fall. Other changes include:

  • ramps and stair lifts to ensure they can access all parts of their homes safely
  • widening of doors to help those who are wheelchair bound to move freely around their home
  • level access showers and raised toilets so that people can continue to live independently and with dignity in their home
  • accessible gardens so they can continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of their garden
  • home extensions which can include the construction of downstairs bedrooms and bathrooms to ensure that disabled or elderly people do not have to risk moving between floors

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Heather Wheeler said:

The government is committed to helping older and disabled people live independently and safely and this extra funding will ensure more people are getting the help they need.

Even a small adaptation to a home can make a big difference and help ensure people can stay in their home and do not have to struggle with the stairs or in simply taking a bath or shower.

The £42 million boost in funding was announced as part of the Autumn Budget and will be additional funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The £42 million will be in addition to the £431 million the government has already pledged to the DFG for the 2017 to 2018 financial year.

The councils who have been allocated the largest share of the extra funding are:

  • Birmingham (£1,007,785)
  • Manchester (£675,147)
  • Leeds (£649,541)
  • Liverpool (£590,796)
  • Cornwall (£527,533)

The DFG is a capital grant paid from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to local authorities in England to adapt older and disabled people’s homes to help them to live independently and safely. Adaptations can include ramps, stair lifts and suitable heating systems.

Eligibility is subject to a means test. There is an upper limit of £30,000 per eligible applicant although children aged 17 years and under are not means tested. The average grant is around £6,500.

Picture courtesy of Peoplecreations.



News story: Crime news: update on calls to criminal applications team

You should now be using 0300 200 2020 for criminal application enquiries as the old 0121 232 5500 number is closing soon.

Calls to the old enquiry line have been automatically redirected to 0300 200 2020 for some months.

We gave notice that this was happening in September 2017 and now need to give notice that the redirect will end on 22 February 2018.

If you have the old number saved you should update it to 0300 200 2020 now.

We will send out regular reminders before the redirect comes to an end.

Options when you call

You will need to choose from civil, crime or technical when calling 0300 200 2020.

Crime billing

You should continue to use 0115 852 6000 for crime billing enquiries.

Further information

0300 200 2020 – criminal applications

0115 852 6000 – crime billing



News story: Crime news: digital claims only for Proceeds of Crime Act work

Starting on 26 March 2018 Proceeds of Crime Act claims will only be accepted on the correct electronic form:

85% of bills digital

We are already processing 85% of your bills on electronic versions of Proceeds of Crime Act claim forms. This follows the launch of PA1, PL1 and PL2 in the summer of 2017.

If you are not already using electronic versions you can familiarise yourself with the process before 26 March 2018 by looking at the guidance on GOV.UK.

Downloading forms

Copies of the form should be downloaded from the GOV.UK website. Claim forms should always be downloaded from the website rather than saved to your own computer to ensure you are using the most up to date version of the claim form.

Further information

Claims paid out of the legal aid fund – guidance and links to forms



Press release: Foreign Secretary statement on Benghazi bombing

The United Kingdom strongly condemns the horrific bombings in Benghazi yesterday evening, which killed at least 34 people and injured over 40 others including women and children.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the people of Benghazi at this time.

Direct or indiscriminate attacks against civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes. The United Kingdom will continue our efforts with our international partners to pursue action against those who are complicit in such horrific attacks.

Security in Benghazi is key to Libya’s overall stability, and we urge all Libyans to reject violence. The latest attack underscores the urgent need to break the political deadlock and bring peace to Libya. It is vital for all parties to engage in good faith with UN-led political process.