STOCK WATCH

ASHLEY House shares rose after the Government said it was dropping plans to cap housing benefit.

The design consultancy works mainly with social care providers on developments, and said proposed caps were substantially below the level of rent and service charge needed to make supported living schemes viable.

Shares fell earlier this month as pre- tax profit dipped £67,000 from £241,000 a year ago. Yesterday, they leapt back 32pc, or 2p, to 8.25p.