The social housing budget was cut by more than 50 per cent in the biggewst shake-up to social housing in decades.

Campaigners fear that the most vulnerable among us will suffer the most, as rent prices increase, housing benefits are cut and the amount of affordable rented housing falls.

In total, funding to councils for transport projects, new homes schemes and education have been cut by £1.1bn. The Audit Commission which monitors local government spending has also been abolished.