North-South divide on homes bonus

OLDHAM is the biggest losing borough in the country in the Government’s New Homes Bonus Scheme, says the UK’s largest union.

UNISON revealed the authority stands to lose more than £900,000. Money for the scheme is deducted from local council grants then redistributed to areas where most new homes are being built.

The “bonus” is paid to local authorities for six years.

Oldham joins authorities like Knowsley, Liverpool and Newcastle as the biggest losers — with only Cumbria worse off than Oldham.

The union wants the Government to put a stop to deprived areas being “penalised”..