Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Household Overcrowding: Covid-19

10 March 2021 · 4 other contributors · 9,257 words

Opened by Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

Responding minister: Eddie Hughes

HousingEnvironment

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Stephen Timms raised concerns about household overcrowding: covid-19 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • East Ham has the highest rate of overcrowded households in the UK at 27%, with minority ethnic communities being disproportionately affected.
  • Stephen Timms cited studies linking overcrowding to poor physical and mental health, increased risk of accidents, mould, and respiratory problems.
  • The Government announced a 12 billion investment over five years for new house building, including the affordable homes programme to provide up to 180,000 homes.

Key requests to Government

Stephen Timms called on the Government to produce a strategy to reduce overcrowding by the end of summer, as recommended by the Women and Equalities Committee, and to address racial inequalities in public health. He also questioned whether there would be new investment in social house building or if it would require another Labour government.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Stephen Timms Lab East Ham

In East Ham, the rate of overcrowded households is the highest in the country at 27%, with minority ethnic communities particularly affected. Stephen Timms highlighted a case where a family has been living in a one-bedroom flat for over a decade despite applications to move and noted that families on Newham Council's housing waiting list often wait up to 15 years. He cited studies showing links between overcrowding and poor physical and mental health, increased risk of accidents, mould, and respiratory problems. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with higher transmission rates in overcrowded homes making social distancing impossible.

Other contributors (4)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon highlighted the housing crisis in Northern Ireland, particularly overcrowded homes and affordability issues. He mentioned that one in three households had major housing problems before the pandemic. He also stressed the health implications of poor-quality homes and the need for better social housing to accommodate families with disabilities. Inquired about the Government's commitment to co-ownership schemes, which enable people with partial home ownership to secure housing earlier.

  • Patricia Gibson SNP North Ayrshire and Arran

    Ms Gibson discussed the link between housing conditions and health outcomes, highlighting that overcrowded households face higher risks of transmission during the pandemic. She cited Inside Housing analysis showing a correlation between overcrowding and covid death rates. Ms Gibson shared her personal experience growing up in overcrowded conditions and emphasized the need for affordable homes to address such issues. She noted Scotland's progress in building affordable homes but called for more investment from the UK Government, urging them to abandon policies like the bedroom tax and no recourse to public funds.

  • Siobhain McDonagh Lab Mitcham and Morden

    McDonagh highlighted the impact of overcrowded housing during the pandemic, noting that families living in one-room HMOs with multiple households cannot self-isolate. She cited specific cases of individuals struggling to manage isolation, especially those caring for elderly relatives or managing large families in small spaces. McDonagh criticised the government's lack of support and policy on social housing. Asked if she could intervene to highlight a piece of legislation introduced by her colleague, the Member for Westminster North, and later thanked the Minister for acknowledging Channel 4 journalist Jackie Long's work in helping one of her constituents find better housing.

  • Thangam Debbonaire Lab West Bristol

    The English housing survey found that 4% of households in England are overcrowded, affecting about 829,000 households. Thangam Debbonaire highlighted the detrimental effects of overcrowding on mental and physical health, relationships, and education, particularly for lower-income families and ethnic minorities. She criticised the Government's inadequate response to overcrowding during the pandemic and called for a vision that addresses the housing crisis.

Government Response

Eddie Hughes

Stressed the Government's commitment to tackling overcrowding through various measures including licensing of HMOs, financial penalties for unscrupulous landlords, and investment in affordable housing. Mentioned £12 billion investment over five years for new house building, including the affordable homes programme providing up to 180,000 homes and a further £9 billion for shared ownership and affordable homes programmes delivering 250,000 new homes. Emphasised work with organisations such as the Church of England to develop affordable housing programs and highlighted the £50 million social housing decarbonisation fund.

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