Social Housing (Regulation) Bill

Welcomes Michael Gove back to his position but expresses concern over the lack of personal evacuation plans for disabled people despite previous promises.

Praises Michael Gove for his work on converting the Social Housing White Paper into legislation and asks if it aligns with treating social housing tenants with respect, removing stigma associated with such tenure.

Reiterates Florence Eshalomi's point about personal evacuation plans for disabled people and asks if the Secretary of State supports their implementation.

Raises concern over financial penalties that may punish tenants twice, once for having a bad landlord and again through withheld funds, citing an example from his constituency.

Welcomes Michael Gove back to his position and asks if information about better safety can be shared with other regions including Northern Ireland, which has some high-rise apartment blocks.

Asks whether Michael Gove would regard a complacent attitude towards fire safety by a housing association as very serious, post-Grenfell tragedy.

Supports the Bill but calls for improvements to ensure tenants are at the centre of an advisory panel, further professionalising standards in the social housing workforce, and ensuring the regulator has adequate resources. Criticises the lack of action on building more social homes despite promises made.

Intervened to emphasise that the biggest problem with social housing is a lack of investment and under-supply, leading to desperate measures such as selling off properties. Calls for restoring social housing's pre-eminence.

Welcomes the Bill's introduction but calls for stronger measures in professionalising the social housing sector. Argues that requiring qualifications would ensure better attitudes towards tenants and improve management standards, reducing stigma associated with living in social housing.

Intervenes to support Theresa May's argument about professionalising the sector. Emphasises that attitude is key, alongside qualifications, for better management of social housing.

The amendment aims to protect secure social housing tenants from threats of violence by ensuring their tenancy rights are maintained when they need to move. It also seeks to prevent families from entering an overwhelmed social housing waiting list unnecessarily.

Mr Francois supports the Bill to improve regulation of social housing. He cites his personal experience growing up in council housing and mentions examples from his constituency where housing associations such as Morgan Sindall have provided poor maintenance services, leading to numerous tenant complaints about delayed repairs during the pandemic. He also criticises Notting Hill Genesis for its management practices, including fire safety concerns at Sangster Court sheltered housing unit. Francois argues that a tougher regulator is needed to hold these organisations accountable and improve service quality.

Mr Marco Longhi supported the Bill on behalf of his social housing tenants in Dudley. He acknowledged the hard work of previous Ministers and stated that high standards of service, safety, and respect are crucial for constituents. He cited an example of long delays in repairs affecting a constituent's child's safety, indicating that while not all landlords or officers perform poorly, many need support to meet their obligations efficiently. Longhi argued for necessary state intervention to ensure social landlords comply with performance improvement plans and maintain high standards.

Ms. De Cordova highlighted that many social housing tenants in her constituency face substandard conditions and poor customer service, leading to significant challenges for their mental health and well-being. She cited a constituent who spent over two years trying to get repair work done on his home, underscoring the need for better regulation of the sector. She also emphasised the importance of trained staff and adequate inspections by the regulator to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Ms. De Cordova called for more detail on how the new inspection regime will be delivered and committed resources to support it.

Welcomed the Secretary of State and broadly supported the Bill, highlighting the tireless campaigning following the Grenfell tragedy. Raised concerns about the delay in introducing the Bill despite the urgent need for improvements in social housing rights. Emphasised the financial pressures on local authorities exacerbated by inflation and high interest rates, calling for clarity on funding delivery. Urged the Minister to find ways to fill the funding gap for councils to protect vulnerable people. Quoted research showing every pound invested in new social homes generates £2.84 in wider economy and saves £780 a year in housing benefit. Questioned why houses bought under right-to-buy are often let into private rented sector, urging retention of 100% proceeds for maintaining social housing stock. Criticised the abandonment of zero-carbon homes policy leading to inefficient home construction. Called for provisions on retrofitting with insulation and energy efficiency in newly built social housing. Advocated ending no-fault evictions and urgent cladding removal.

Rebecca Long-Bailey broadly supports the Bill but believes it is too narrow to address social housing crises. She argues for an amendment that would make social housing providers subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, noting that six out of 23 social housing providers in Greater Manchester refused freedom of information requests. She raises concerns about funding and proposes routine inspections but highlights a lack of detail on delivery and funding. Long-Bailey also discusses the tragic death of Awaab Ishak due to poor living conditions and criticises the absence of Government action towards national mission for decent homes.

Welcomes the Bill, stating it is long overdue due to previous government policies that damaged social housing. Mentions a case in her constituency where disrepair caused serious health issues for a tenant's father. Describes the current bureaucratic process as frustrating and ineffective for tenants facing urgent repairs. Emphasises the need for a strengthened regulator with sufficient resources to effectively inspect properties.

Jim Shannon supports the Bill and acknowledges its importance, citing the Grenfell tragedy as a catalyst for change. He highlights a social housing crisis in Northern Ireland, including shortages of suitable and affordable homes. He mentions that around 650 units of temporary accommodation were acquired to meet demand, with approximately 117,000 live housing benefit claims in Northern Ireland by March 2021. Shannon expresses concern about landlords selling rental properties, leading to potential rent increases and a lack of affordable housing for low-income individuals or families.

Welcomes the Bill but seeks to further strengthen it, particularly in consumer regulations, advisory panel composition, professional training qualifications, enforcement powers, inspection frequency, resourcing of the regulator, social housing supply. Argues for more robust measures to protect tenants' health and safety.

Intervened briefly, congratulating the Minister for her summing up. Suggested a need for a snappier name for the social housing regulator to instill fear into complacent chief executives.