Benefit cuts for noisy neighbours

A plan to strip nuisance neighbours of some benefit payments is back on track as ministers prepare to hand local authorities new powers to clamp down on families convicted of noise or antisocial behaviour.

Under the plan, a first conviction could see benefit payments cut by £50 a week. A second offence could mean all payments being stopped for up to six months.

Welfare Minister Malcolm Wicks said: "There is something wrong with someone making their neighbour's life hell courtesy of the taxpayer in the form of housing benefit."

Charity Shelter warned that increasing poverty would not end anti-social behaviour.