Councils will be required to publish how much funding they are receiving from developers under new rules announced by the Government.

Housing minister, Kit Malthouse, said councils will now be obliged to report deals done with developers and set out how the money is being sent.

The Government said the measures will make the process more transparent and simplify 'over-complicated' rules.

Mr Malthouse, said: 'Communities deserve to know whether their council is fighting their corner with developers – getting more cash to local services so they can cope with the new homes built. ?

'The reforms not only ensure developers and councils don’t shirk their responsibilities, allowing residents to hold them to account - but also free up councillors to fund bigger and more complicated projects over the line.'

Restrictions will also be eased to allow councils to fund single, larger infrastructure projects from the cash received from multiple developments.?

Figures show that developers were charged £6bn in contributions in 2016/17.