Cash at stake in confusion of Kingstons

THE Department of the Environment yesterday admitted making a gaffe by confusing Kingston upon Hull with Kingston upon Thames in south-west London in a table of the most deprived councils - an error which could have cost the Humberside city millions of pounds, writes Nigel Burnham.

The mistake occurred when Hull was confused with Kingston under two headings in the Index Of Local Conditions, published in May, which helps the Government determine which councils have the most pressing need for grants to combat deprivation.

The error resulted in Hull being ranked 56th - instead of 31st - out of the 366 local authorities in England most in need of help. The error has only just been noticed by Hull City Council.

The department blamed the error on sub-contractors.