Opposition councillors have called for an inquiry after Liverpool City Council pulled the plug on a £25m housing regeneration scheme. The council confirmed on 1 November it had withdrawn an offer, made in March, to Leader1 Liverpool to refurbish empty local authority-owned houses in the Arnside, Picton and Granby areas of Merseyside.

‘No contract was signed and we are now pushing ahead with pursuing other options, as we are committed to delivering a high-quality housing renewal programme in these areas,' said a council spokesman.