The government has bowed to pressure from MPs and extended the principle of decent homes to the private sector.
Targets for social housing will be extended to the most vulnerable owner-occupiers. The Commons select committee had pressed for such a target.

Few details of the target have been released. The government said it would focus on elderly and disabled people and families with dependent children – people who could not afford to repair their homes themselves.

Councils gained extra powers this year to offer loans and other forms of help to homeowners.

But campaigners reacted with dismay that no budget for extra work has been earmarked.