<p>Local authorities are missing out on millions of pounds of government funding through the New Homes Bonus by failing to build the homes that their areas need.</p> <p>Calculations by the Homes Builders Federation reveal that councils that have scrapped plans to build homes will miss out on huge amounts of cash from the bonus at a time when funding is being cut.</p> <p>According to the HBF figures, Leeds City Council - which has scrapped plans for more than 30,000 new homes - could lose out on £27 million a year in bonus payments after six years, starting with £4.5 million in year one.</p> <p>However Tower Hamlets will get £4.28 million in bonus payments for the homes it added to its stock in 2009/2010.</p> <p>HBF executive chairman Styewart Baseley said: "The figures highlight the potential income local authorities can generate by building the new homes their areas need. In these austere times, with budgets being cut across the country, this money will prove invaluable."</p>