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Supported Exempt Accommodation: Birmingham
11 February 2026
Lead MP
Ayoub Khan
Birmingham Perry Barr
Ind
Responding Minister
Matthew Pennycook
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementHousing
Word Count: 7464
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Ayoub Khan raised concerns about supported exempt accommodation: birmingham in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Khan requested the Government provide financial support to Birmingham city council and ensure the SEA pilot continues beyond its current funding period. He also asked for a meeting to discuss the true scale of the impact on communities and for the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 to be implemented without delay. I hope the Minister will update us on when we can expect to see the Government's response to the consultation so that crucial regulations can be introduced under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. The council's actions evidence the need for regulation of the sector.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Ayoub Khan highlighted that the number of people housed in supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham has tripled to more than 32,000 across 11,200 properties. He noted significant issues such as antisocial behaviour, criminal activity, and fly-tipping affecting residents in areas with high concentrations of these accommodations. Khan emphasized that while compassion is crucial for vulnerable individuals, proper care infrastructure must be in place to manage those with acute needs effectively. Since being elected in 2017, the system for supported exempt accommodation has been broken and abused. The cost of provision has risen to nearly £400 million while local need is exceeded. In September 2024, a Westminster Hall debate was held on this topic where the Government expressed ambition but progress has been slow. Saif Lodge was shut down in Edgbaston for exploitation and bad conditions, highlighting the need for regulation. There are links between exempt sector providers and organised crime gangs, money laundering, fraud and drug dealing which impact communities negatively.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon congratulated the hon. Gentleman on raising a critical issue for vulnerable people and highlighted housing pressures across constituencies in the UK, stressing the need for greater access to supported living for those who could thrive with assistance.
Lewis Cocking
Con
Broxbourne
Supported exempt accommodation is crucial for vulnerable individuals but faces fragmentation, poor standards, and financial sustainability issues. The sector requires additional funding to meet unmet demand of nearly 400,000 units by 2040, with concerns over regulatory pressures without adequate funding. Lewis welcomed the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 but called for swift implementation of the consultation response.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Tahir Ali thanked his hon. Friend for raising the issue of rogue providers in supported accommodation, stressing the need for the council to have regulatory powers and that closing loopholes is essential. He also highlighted that addressing these issues goes beyond funding concerns. Asked the Minister to consider issuing interim guidance so that local authorities can implement changes more swiftly.
Will Forster
Lib Dem
Woking
Mr Forster highlighted the importance of safe and secure housing, citing his work as Mayor of Woking in supporting local homeless shelters. He noted that while there are high-quality providers, many residents of exempt accommodation elsewhere are being let down due to a lack of support and exploitative practices by unscrupulous providers. The Liberal Democrat MP also referenced the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee's report from October 2022 describing the system as a 'complete mess'. He mentioned that by 2040 between almost 1 million and 1.3 million supported housing units will be needed.
Government Response
Matthew Pennycook
Government Response
It is a pleasure, as always, to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Lewell. I congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham Perry Barr on securing this important debate and thank him for his clear and comprehensive account of the challenges of poorly managed, and in particular non-commissioned, exempt accommodation in his constituency. The Government take seriously the need to ensure that all individuals who benefit from supported housing live in safe and decent accommodation and get the support they need to improve their lives. We announced £39 billion for a new 10-year social and affordable homes programme and £159 million through the local government finance settlement for 2026 to 2029 for support services in supported housing. Birmingham faces acute challenges with unsafe and poor-quality supported housing, but the Government are taking action, including the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act. We have allocated £39 million in new burdens funding to local authorities to start work on their local supported housing strategies and will publish the national supported housing standards along with guidance. Local authorities can use existing enforcement powers while we implement the legislation. The Government are committed to working with all Members, local authorities, and supported housing providers to ensure measures have the intended effect.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.