Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, has published the final allocations of New Homes Bonus Payments to over 350 councils in England.

The total awarded to councils since the scheme's introduction is£3.4 billion, for delivering more than 700,000 new homes and conversions, and bringing over 100,000 empty homes back into use.

Launched in 2011, it is a permanent part of the local government finance system and matches the additional council tax raised for new homes and empty homes brought back into use for 6 years.

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Councils are then free to use the funding as they see fit to benefit their local area.

Minister Lewis said: "In the past councils were penalised for supporting new housebuilding – now, thanks to the New Homes Bonus, those that build are rewarded for it.

"Since the scheme's launch communities have received some £3.4 billion for delivering over 700,000 new homes, and bringing empty homes down to a record low.

"It continues to offer a clear incentive for residents to say yes to new development – on top of the powers we've given them to determine where homes get built in their area."

(CD/MH)