A new strategy to enhance housing-related support has been unveiled by the minister for local government, Phil Woolas.

The Supporting People Strategy plans to improve the delivery of housing-related support services through further engagement with both the third sector and tenants.

The strategy outlines the role of the third sector and asks them to help in shaping how the programme will be delivered in the future.

It also suggests a series of new approaches to give service users greater say about the services they receive through the Individual Budget pilots and new ‘Charters for Independent Living’.

Mr Woolas said: "The government’s Supporting People programme has been a huge success story.

"But we have now reached a watershed in the programme and we need to refocus our approach to give the service users a greater say.

"Like all members of the community vulnerable people should have choice and control to ensure the services they use are tailored to their individual needs," he added.

The Supporting People programme currently allocates around £1.7 billion to provide vulnerable people with life skills such as cooking and budgeting.