JOBS have have had to go the Leigh-based County Palatine Housing Association.

Gloomy growth predictions for investment in social housing, following big budget cuts, have been blamed on a need to streamline the operation.

Kathleen Bruce, chairman of County Palatine's management committee, said there had been four redundancies out of a total workforce of 100-plus.

She explained:"In line with most, or many, of the north west housing associations, restructuring has had to take place.

"A shrinking housing grant was cut by 41 per cent and we've had to make savings. It's been sad to have to do, but absolutely necessary.

"But we intend to come out of it and we will forge ahead - leaner, slimmer and more concentrated."

Manchester-based Housing Corporation's assistant director David Fairhurst said:"Much less investment is going into social housing. Since 1992-3 funding has fallen by 72 per cent. Predictions are for further reductions - there does not seem to be anything on the horizon."

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