Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Rented Housing

Monday 7 April 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jessica Toale raised concerns about constituents waiting years for repairs and social housing providers failing to meet obligations despite recent upgrades in one building due to intervention.
  • Matthew Pennycook confirmed they will consult on a new decent homes standard applying to both social rented and private rented sectors, inviting engagement during the consultation.
  • Matthew Pennycook acknowledged delays caused by the newly established Building Safety Regulator and noted efforts to improve delivery, including increasing caseworker capacity and providing guidance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Toale Lab Bournemouth West
Social Care Housing
Context

Residents in Jessica Toale's constituency have faced living conditions with leaking roofs, damp, mould, unfinished works. Interventions by the MP led to a multimillion-pound upgrade and better communication from the housing provider.

Question

Jessica Toale raised concerns that her constituents were left waiting years for repairs and social housing providers not meeting their obligations despite recent upgrades in one building due to intervention.

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

Matthew Pennycook agreed with Jessica Toale that her intervention should not have been necessary. He mentioned the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill abolishing section 21 evictions by housing associations, and noted the Regulator of Social Housing's powers to work intensively with providers failing regulatory standards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how to ensure residents are not waiting years for repairs specifically.

How: Discussed Broader Reforms Instead

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Housing
Context

The Minister for Housing and Planning has been consulting on a new decent homes standard.

Question

Sir Desmond Swayne asked in what precise ways the Minister intends to improve the decent homes standard, referencing the announced reforms.

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

Matthew Pennycook confirmed they will consult on a new decent homes standard applying to both social rented and private rented sectors, inviting Sir Desmond Swayne's engagement during the consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics of improving the decent homes standard beyond consulting.

How: Invited Further Discussion, Promised Consultation Without Details

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Q3 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Context

The Building Safety Regulator is causing delays in handling applications, particularly for high-rise building projects, affecting social homes including 100 in Kingston and Surbiton.

Question

Gideon Amos questioned the Government about steps to reduce wait times from 16 weeks back down to eight weeks, citing advice from the Building Safety Regulator.

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

Matthew Pennycook acknowledged delays caused by the newly established Building Safety Regulator but noted they are working with the regulator to improve delivery, including increasing caseworker capacity and providing guidance. The performance of the regulator will be kept under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps to reduce wait times back down to eight weeks.

How: Discussed Ongoing Work, Promised Review

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