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  This news just in from the Planning Portal.
  
  'Beds in sheds' move
  
  Ministers have unveiled plans for a national taskforce to tackle the issue of "beds in sheds". A cross-Whitehall summit heard calls for councils to make greater use of legal powers in areas such as planning, fire safety, housing and environmental health.
  
  The summit - the first in a series - was attended by representatives from the police, local government and the UK Border Agency. The meetings will find ways to close down thousands of sheds and outbuildings being rented out illegally to migrants, including some with no right to be in the UK.
  
  These 'tenants' are being exploited by landlords who charge them extortionate rents to live in cramped conditions.
  
  Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: "It is a scandal that these back garden slums exist to exploit people, many of whom are prepared to return voluntarily to their home country but instead find themselves trapped into paying extortionate rents to live in these cramped conditions.
  
  "I want to see a crackdown on these criminal landlords. So today we are launching a national taskforce, made up of the police, local councils, the UK Border Agency and HM Revenue and Customs to close down these 'beds in sheds', help those living there to be reunited with their families and ensure their so-called landlords feel the full force of the law."

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