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NatWest launches £250m fund to increase affordable housing

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NatWest has announced a £250 million Section 106 Loan Fund to help housing associations buy affordable homes from housebuilders and unlock stalled housing delivery.

Together, this funding could support the acquisition of around 2,500 S106 homes. The loans will be offered at discounted margins and fees.

Section 106 homes are delivered as part of planning agreements with local authorities, but housing associations have recently struggled to acquire them due to rising financial pressures.

This has led to completed homes sitting empty and delays in new housing developments.

NatWest said the fund is part of its wider goal of supporting social housing with £10 billion in funding by the end of 2028.

Paul Eyre, head of residential and housing finance at NatWest, said: “In February, we set out a £10 billion ambition to support the delivery and maintenance of social housing across the UK.

“This new £250 million S106 Loan Fund is a practical example of that commitment in action — helping housing associations in England unlock sites, bring affordable homes into use and support wider housing delivery at a critical time.”

Supported by a matching £250 million recently announced by Homes England, the fund doubles the total funding available for Section 106 acquisitions to £500 million.

Catherine van Weenen, regional managing director of commercial mid-market at NatWest, said: “Across London and the South East, housing constraints continue to limit opportunity for families and hold back regional growth.

“This £250 million Section 106 Loan Fund is a practical step to help housing associations bring more affordable homes into use and accelerate new delivery.

“This funding supports families, strengthens local economies, and helps ensure growth is more evenly shared.

“It’s a clear example of our Growing Together plan in action – backing the regions, building for the future, and empowering communities in London, the South East and beyond to thrive.”

Support for the scheme has also come from the Government.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “We need to build more affordable homes to bring down the number of families stuck on housing waiting lists.

“Housebuilding is a national mission and businesses like NatWest will have a pivotal role to play in helping us unlock stalled housing sites across the country and build the homes we need.”

Neil Jefferson, CEO of the Home Builders Federation, added: “With around half of Affordable Housing being delivered through the Section 106 cross-subsidy model, it is important that we have a functioning market for these much-needed Affordable Homes.”





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Jeremy Clarkson among famous men backing cancer treatment

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English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.

Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.

Jeremy Clarkson is some of a few famous faces who have received focal therapy for prostate cancer (Image: PA)

Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.

Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.

“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”

The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.

Peter Duncan received prostate cancer therapy accessed by Jeremy Clarkson (Image: Alistair Wilson)

Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”

A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.





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Criminal broke into Oxford home and slept in owner’s bed, court hears

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Richie Reeves broke into the home in Westminster Way on January 12 this year.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old, of Bristow Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, spent the night there and then stole some pants and socks before leaving.

As well as this, Reeves was sentenced, on August 6, for stealing bank cards in various locations and then using them to buy things for himself.

Reeves stole a bank card, wallet and cash belonging to John Keen in Oxford on January 17.

READ MORE: Oxford University student from China found dead at accommodation

Richie Reeves (Image: TVP)

He also stole bank cards belonging to Gordon Boland and Aya Zemzam in Milton Keynes in April.

Using the bank cards, the total he spent was £586.87.

Judge Maria Lamb said: “You broke into a young man’s home. You slept in his bed and helped yourself to his belongings.

“The feeling of intrusion to that young man must have been very significant. You were a rough sleeper and entrenched in substance misuse.

“You are now beginning to realise the impact of your offending on other people. It has had an enduring impact. You are now seeking to turn things around.”

Reeves was jailed for a total of 16 months.

The judge added: “I hope you build on the work you are doing already.”





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Second weapon unveiled by police to combat e-scooters and e-bikes

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It was reported earlier this week that Southampton’s officers had started using DeterTech’s SmartTag spray.

This can be fired from a handheld canister over distances of up to 10 metres, coating riders, clothing and bikes with an invisible marker.

READ MORE: Tips will no longer accept these items as new £15 charge introduced

The spray is only detectable under ultraviolet light and carries a unique forensic code linked to the specific canister used, allowing investigators to match a suspect to a particular incident weeks or even months later.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says the technology gives officers a safer tactical option when dealing with motorcycles, e‑bikes and e‑scooters being used in crime or anti‑social behaviour, reducing the need for risky pursuits or close confrontation.

The move comes amid growing complaints about riders using powered two‑wheelers on pavements and in public spaces, and follows similar trials by Dorset Police and other forces to tag offenders rather than chasing them through busy streets.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire shop to permanently close with all products now £1

Thames Valley Police has told this newspaper this week that a second spray is being used in Oxfordshire and across the region.

The DNA tagging spray from SelectaDNA acts in a similar way and is also being used to combat e-bikes and e-scooters.

TVP, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has already seized more than 100 illegal machines in recent operations and warned that privately owned e‑scooters used on public roads risk fines, penalty points and confiscation.





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