The use of local authority borrowing powers should be carefully controlled and leveraged with private sector cash to reduce their exposure to debt risk. Local authorities should, in effect, deploy borrowings on the same basis as grants - by making contributions to projects that are serviced at a lower rate of interest.

Despite claiming to stand up for hard working families, Mr Osborne's measures are hitting the working poor as well as the allegedly feckless where it really hurts. If the government truly wants to represent working families, it needs to take a different aim to reduce welfare spend.

Existing tenants are not affected by this measure. We need to get a grip on housing policy. This is a quick and popular option to help get the economy going and people housed. Government cannot afford to delay.