ROGUE landlords in England will face curbs on how much benefit they can receive if their properties are substandard, the government revealed today.

Ministers said that they will unveil a new licensing scheme, tougher standards and “the ability to stop housing benefit going to rogue landlords” next week, as they announced an extra £300 million to build up to 2,800 more affordable homes.

Half of these homes are to be for social rent. A £50m boost to the Local Authority Housing Fund will go towards 250 more council homes to keep families out of poor-quality temporary housing.

The housing charity Shelter welcomed the funding boost as a “promising start,” but “far more ambitious investment” was required.

Chief executive Polly Neate said: “It’s good to see social housing firmly back on the agenda after decades of neglect.

“Half of these new homes for social rent is a promising start, but the government must commit far more ambitious investment at the Spending Review in June.

“Only truly bold action will tackle the housing emergency and end homelessness for good. Investing in building 90,000 social rent homes a year for 10 years would clear social housing waiting lists, boost jobs and help grow the economy.”

National Housing Federation chief executive Kate Henderson said the new money “will help maintain momentum in the delivery of much needed social and affordable housing.”

The Local Government Association also welcomed the funding and urged the government to ensure councils had proper resources to meet housing need at the spending review later this year.

The government has pledged to build 1.5m homes over the course of the parliament, but there have been warnings that there are not the staff available to fulfil the promise.

Asked whether she was worried about the target being met, Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said that she is “determined” to meet the challenge.

“We will meet that target because we can’t afford not to,” Ms Rayner told broadcasters.

“We have 1.3m people waiting on housing waiting lists, there isn’t a person listening to this show that will not know somebody who is desperate to get on the housing ladder.

“So, therefore, we’re determined to turn that tide.”

Building safety minister Alex Norris also said that he is “absolutely” confident that the government will meet its housing pledge.