To ask His Majesty's Government whether they hold data on the number of demotion orders under section 82A of the Housing Act 1985 that social housing providers applied for in 2024.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they hold data on the number of demotion orders under section 82A of the Housing Act 1985 that social housing providers applied for in 2024.

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation and (b) increase the number of children living in secure tenancies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation and (b) increase the number of children living in secure tenancies.

Clauses 54 to 56 agreed to. Government amendment made to clause 57. Clause 57 agreed to as amended. Clause 58, discussed with new clause 45 (Special measures (civil and family proceedings): domestic abuse), agreed to. Government amendment made to clause 59. Clause 59 agreed to as amended. Clauses 60 to 62 agreed to. Schedule 2 agreed to. Clauses 63 to 65 agreed to. Written evidence reported to the House.

Clauses 54 to 56 agreed to. Government amendment made to clause 57. Clause 57 agreed to as amended. Clause 58, discussed with new clause 45 (Special measures (civil and family proceedings): domestic abuse), agreed to. Government amendment made to clause 59. Clause 59 agreed to as amended. Clauses 60 to...

This briefing provides an overview of the Domestic Abuse Bill in advance of its second reading on 28 April 2020.

This briefing provides an overview of the Domestic Abuse Bill in advance of its second reading on 28 April 2020.

My rt hon Friends, the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary and I are today publishing the consultation response on transforming the response to domestic abuse and draft Domestic Abuse Bill following the public consultation last year.

Domestic abuse destroys lives. It is a cruel and complex crime that can affect anyone,...

My rt hon Friends, the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary and I are today publishing the consultation response on transforming the response to domestic abuse and draft Domestic Abuse Bill following the public consultation last year.

Domestic abuse destroys lives. It is a cruel and complex crime that can affect anyone,...

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sajid Javid) has made the following Written Statement.

“My Rt Hon Friends, the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary and I are today publishing the consultation response on transforming the response to domestic abuse and draft Domestic Abuse Bill...

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sajid Javid) has made the following Written Statement.

“My Rt Hon Friends, the Prime Minister and Justice Secretary and I are today publishing the consultation response on transforming the response to domestic abuse and draft Domestic Abuse Bill...

Q13

.

Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab):

It has been reported this morning that the Treasury and No. 10 are blocking plans for legally binding three-year tenancies for private renters. This is of great concern to private renters in my constituency, including many families sending their children back to school this week who do not know where they will be living this time next year. Will the Prime Minister make a clear promise to private tenants that they will be entitled to three-year tenancies in law?

Q13

.

Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab):

It has been reported this morning that the Treasury and No. 10 are blocking plans for legally binding three-year tenancies for private renters. This is of great concern to private renters in my constituency, including many families sending their children back to school this week who do not know where they will be living this time next year. Will the Prime Minister make a clear promise to private tenants that they will be entitled to three-year tenancies in law?

We are keen to support tenants to access longer, more secure tenancies, while also obviously ensuring that landlords are able to recover their property when needed. The consultation on overcoming the barriers to longer tenancies in the private rented sector closed on 26 August. It considered the various barriers to longer tenancies and how to overcome them, and it did propose a new three-year tenancy model with a six-month break clause. We asked for views on the viability of that and how it could be implemented. We are now analysing those responses, and we will provide information on the next steps once we have done that.

We are keen to support tenants to access longer, more secure tenancies, while also obviously ensuring that landlords are able to recover their property when needed. The consultation on overcoming the barriers to longer tenancies in the private rented sector closed on 26 August. It considered the various barriers to longer tenancies and how to overcome them, and it did propose a new three-year tenancy model with a six-month break clause. We asked for views on the viability of that and how it could be implemented. We are now analysing those responses, and we will provide information on the next steps once we have done that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the statement in the letter of 13 March 2018 from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Housing and Homelessness) to the hon. Member for Oxford East, whether the statement that the Government wants...

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the statement in the letter of 13 March 2018 from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Housing and Homelessness) to the hon. Member for Oxford East, whether the statement that the Government wants...

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

We are here to discuss a short but important Bill. It has been introduced by the Government to plug the gaps left by ministerial incompetence in the progression of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Despite the Opposition’s warnings, the Government failed to listen, so we are here today to...

We are here to discuss a short but important Bill. It has been introduced by the Government to plug the gaps left by ministerial incompetence in the progression of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Despite the Opposition’s warnings, the Government failed to listen, so we are here today to...

I understand the point that the hon. Lady is making, but does she not welcome the fact that the Government are introducing an extra £17 million to help more than 40 local authorities to provide better services? The Government really have made this a priority; does she not welcome that?

I understand the point that the hon. Lady is making, but does she not welcome the fact that the Government are introducing an extra £17 million to help more than 40 local authorities to provide better services? The Government really have made this a priority; does she not welcome that?

As I made clear, we are not tabling an amendment on this, but I urge the Minister to consider the reports from Women’s Aid to make sure that across the country there is parity of service for all victims of domestic violence.

As I made clear, we are not tabling an amendment on this, but I urge the Minister to consider the reports from Women’s Aid to make sure that across the country there is parity of service for all victims of domestic violence.

There is obviously consensus that the Bill is a step in the right direction, and we welcome it, but are there not other barriers to secure tenancies—for example, if debt was incurred in the previous tenancy? Will social landlords have to accept these women? A lot of advice needs to...

There is obviously consensus that the Bill is a step in the right direction, and we welcome it, but are there not other barriers to secure tenancies—for example, if debt was incurred in the previous tenancy? Will social landlords have to accept these women? A lot of advice needs to...

I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I agree: sufficient support should be available across the whole country. Very often, individuals will present with unique circumstances, and legislation cannot provide for each and every eventuality, but making sure that the appropriate training is in place across the country...

I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I agree: sufficient support should be available across the whole country. Very often, individuals will present with unique circumstances, and legislation cannot provide for each and every eventuality, but making sure that the appropriate training is in place across the country...

I agree entirely with what my hon. Friend is saying about the postcode lottery. When I raised that on Second Reading, the Minister said that I was complaining about an issue that did not exist, but it has become clear from subsequent meetings with Women’s Aid that different local authorities...

I agree entirely with what my hon. Friend is saying about the postcode lottery. When I raised that on Second Reading, the Minister said that I was complaining about an issue that did not exist, but it has become clear from subsequent meetings with Women’s Aid that different local authorities...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and concur with his remarks. Other issues raised by hon. Members have prompted assurances during the Bill’s progress, and I take the Minister at her word and hope the Government live up to her words.

New clause 1 would ensure that cross-border travel...

I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention and concur with his remarks. Other issues raised by hon. Members have prompted assurances during the Bill’s progress, and I take the Minister at her word and hope the Government live up to her words.

New clause 1 would ensure that cross-border travel...

I understand what the hon. Lady is trying to do, but I do not think her new clause does it, because it says that the Government should “review” the situation. What powers would she want the Government to take to override devolved Governments?

I understand what the hon. Lady is trying to do, but I do not think her new clause does it, because it says that the Government should “review” the situation. What powers would she want the Government to take to override devolved Governments?

The purpose of the new clause is not to override the devolved Administrations, which is why it calls for a review. If the right hon. Gentleman listens to the remainder of my speech, perhaps it will clarify things for him.

I am pleased to see action to improve cross-border collaboration, but...

The purpose of the new clause is not to override the devolved Administrations, which is why it calls for a review. If the right hon. Gentleman listens to the remainder of my speech, perhaps it will clarify things for him.

I am pleased to see action to improve cross-border collaboration, but...