COUNCIL TENANT SUBLETTERS FACE JAIL

Council tenants who rake in thousands of pounds a year by subletting their homes face up to two years in prison, it was revealed today.

Courts would also be able to fine offenders up to £50,000, under detailed proposals unveiled by the Government.

Abuse of social housing is estimated to cost the taxpayer more than £5 billion a year.

However, it is not currently an offence to sublet a council house. Officials believe up to 160,000 tenants are renting properties to other people.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "Tenancy cheats are taking advantage of a vital support system for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and getting away with a slap on the wrist while our waiting lists continue to grow.

"It's time for these swindlers to pay the price.

"It would cost us billions of pounds to replace the huge number of unlawfully occupied social homes across the country.

"Meanwhile tenancy cheats can earn thousands of pounds letting out their property, which was given to them in good faith and which could instead be offering a stable home to a family in need.

"The proposals I've announced today would not only deliver justice to these fraudsters, but will also act as a deterrent to those who think they can earn a fast buck from this precious resource.

"I want everyone to know that our country's social homes are going to those in genuine need, not providing a 'nice little earner' to someone who could afford to live elsewhere."

The plans, being put out for consultation, would see the creation of a new criminal offence of tenancy fraud, with a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment and a fine of up to £50,000 if the case goes to crown court.

The money seized would be handed back to the social landlord in whose stock the fraud was committed, rather than going into government coffers.

Local authorities would also get stronger powers to investigate fraud, including easier access to data from banks and utility companies.

©Press Association 2012

William Hague called on the Burmese government to release all remaining political prisoners.

William Hague called on the Burmese government to release all remaining political prisoners as he met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a historic visit to the country.

The Foreign Secretary, the first to travel to Burma in more than 50 years, had dinner with the Nobel Peace Prize winner and pro-democracy campaigner ahead of formal talks tomorrow.

After talks earlier with the regime, Mr Hague said that the UK stood ready to "respond positively" to improvements in human rights and political freedoms.

But he signalled that further progress was required by the international community if the country, the subject of sanctions, was to be brought in from the cold.

President Thein Sein unexpectedly embarked on a series of liberalising measures after coming to office last year, including opening talks with Ms Suu Kyi.

His nominally civilian government also released more than 200 political prisoners and legalised trade unions after years of hardline military rule.

Critics caution however that significant numbers of political prisoners - variously estimated to number between 590 and 1,700 - remain behind bars, despite government promises to free them, while reports of abuses against ethnic minorities continue.

The visit by Mr Hague is the latest by world counterparts, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, amid efforts to bring Burma back into the international fold.

"I emphasised the importance the British Government attaches to the reforms that the Burmese government has undertaken in the last six months, and my sincere hope that there will be further progress in the weeks and months ahead," he said following the talks with the government.

"I made clear that the British Government stands ready to respond positively to evidence of further progress towards that lasting improvement in human rights and political freedom that the people of Burma seek."

He made clear however that the UK expected to see the release of all political prisoners, credible by-elections in April and humanitarian access and peace talks in highly-impoverished ethnic areas.

Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy has now re-registered as a political party and will contest a series of 48 parliamentary by-elections due to take place on April 1, in what is being seen as an important test of the reform process.

In a message on Mr Hague's Facebook page, she said: "Britain and British politicians have provided us with invaluable support over the last 23 years.

"Foreign Secretary William Hague's visit will enable him to assess the present situation in Burma. It will also give me an opportunity to get to know better a man I have long regarded as a good friend of our country," she said.

Britain is pushing for a process of national reconciliation to end the fighting between the government and the country's ethnic minorities, such as the Kachins, and to bring them into the mainstream political process.

While in the former capital, Rangoon, Mr Hague is also due to meet other former political prisoners and ethnic leaders.

PA 2012