The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out the statutory duties of local housing authorities in England to help prevent and relieve homelessness. Where homelessness cannot be prevented, local authorities have a duty to provide temporary accommodation to households that are eligible, unintentionally homeless and in priority need. You can access the Code of Guidance on gov.uk here.

In January 2026, the Home Office published the Police Reform White Paper, setting out the most significant reforms to policing in nearly 200 years. These reforms are designed to ensure policing can respond effectively to evolving crime threats and the challenges facing communities today.

A key element of the reforms is the introduction of a stronger local policing tier through the creation of Local Policing Units, bringing policing closer to communities. Led by designated Local Police Commanders, these will focus on local priorities, including responding to emergencies, preventing and investigating crime, and supporting safer neighbourhoods. Aligning Local Policing Units with local authority

Police play a crucial role in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, and we remain committed to strengthening collaboration between policing, local authorities and health partners to ensure people remain safeguarded from harm.

The Government is consulting on proposals to tackle lower value tax debts in a way that is fair, proportionate and effective. The proposals are intended to address a small minority of taxpayers who can afford to pay what they owe but repeatedly choose not to do so and fail to engage with HMRC despite numerous attempts to make contact.

The consultation seeks views on the design, scope and safeguards that should apply to any future measure. This includes protections for taxpayers who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulty or who may have extra support needs, where views are sought on how best to identify such needs where they have not been communicated to HMRC.

As the consultation remains open, no final decisions have been taken on the design of the proposed measure. Therefore, the Government has not made final assessments relating to the matters raised. A full impact assessment will be published if, and when, legislation is brought forward.

We are taking action across the justice system to improve access to justice for vulnerable people by strengthening legal support, investing in legal aid and making courts and tribunals more accessible.

We have made significant investments in legal aid to support the sustainability of the sector, helping to ensure vulnerable individuals can access legal aid when they need it. This includes the first major fee uplifts in civil legal aid since 1996, increasing spend on immigration and housing work by around £20 million a year once fully implemented. We have also announced up to £34 million a year for criminal legal aid advocates, alongside previous increases to criminal legal aid solicitor fees worth around £116 million a year once fully implemented.

We are providing nearly £20 million of multi-year funding for legal support services to help people with social welfare legal problems.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service continues to improve accessibility through reasonable adjustments, including interpreters, intermediaries, accessible information, digital support for those who are digitally excluded, and remote participation where appropriate. Special measures, including live links, intermediaries and pre-recorded cross-examination, are available to support vulnerable court users, with further reforms included in the Courts and Tribunals Bill.

My Ministerial team and I meet with Ofgem regularly to discuss a range of issues, including how the retail market works for vulnerable consumers.

Ofgem require suppliers to identify and support vulnerable domestic consumers’ needs, make it easy for them to update their circumstances, and provide accessible support with tailored, easy-to-understand communications that are specific to their needs so they can engage with suppliers without facing exclusion.

Ofgem’s recent Call for Input on Consumer Outcomes has also signalled a move away from prescriptive regulation to a more outcomes-focused approach, including improving support for vulnerable consumers.

The consultation closes on 22 July 2026, with a final decision expected in early 2027. If this approach is adopted, suppliers would have to operate within these requirements, as they are intended to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate consumers with a wide range of communication and support needs.

Tackling affordability is this government’s number one priority. The Government acted at last year’s Budget by taking on average £150 of costs off energy bills, with those decisions now factored into bills for the years to come

The recent rise in the price cap announced by Ofgem will be deeply concerning news for families. That is why we are doubling down on our mission for clean power to get us off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and onto clean, homegrown power to bring down bills for good

In addition, around 6 million households in Britain will have benefitted from our expanded £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, which will remain in place for the rest of the decade. We understand that the developments in the Middle East are concerning: we will continue to monitor the situation ahead of the winter and plan for all contingencies.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has produced public-facing guidance on Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather which sets out who might be more vulnerable to cold weather and why, advice on how to keep homes warm, links to energy saving tips, energy efficiency measures, Government support available for those on low incomes, and links to further information from the Met Office, Age UK, and NHS England.

UKHSA has also produced guidance for those caring for and working with the most vulnerable during cold periods, including for adult social care managers and healthcare professionals. Action cards are available for commissioners, health and social care providers, and the voluntary and community sector.

UKHSA also holds winter preparedness webinars to support partners to assess risks to their most vulnerable residents and put measures in place to support them ahead of cold periods.

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA’s) Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) brings together guidance and key actions for local and national partners to prepare, build, and respond to adverse weather events, including cold periods. It includes guidance for keeping homes warm in cold weather, and links to the UKHSA’s Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather guidance which recommends keeping commonly used rooms at a minimum of 18 degrees.

The plan is regularly reviewed based on the latest evidence, our experience in implementing the plan, feedback from users of the plan, and the recommendations of the AWHP reports.

The new national adult safeguarding board, chaired by the Chief Social Worker, met for the first time on 16 June 2026. The board will meet quarterly. This represents an important step towards strengthening national oversight of local safeguarding adults boards. We will publish information regarding the new board on the GOV.UK website shortly, including a summary of meeting minutes.

Work is commencing immediately to update the Care Act statutory guidance on adult safeguarding. Under section 78(2) of the Care Act 2014, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, must consult before issuing statutory guidance, and the Department will work with the sector over the coming months to take this consultation forward.

The board will oversee an urgent review of the adult safeguarding legal framework.

The new national adult safeguarding board, chaired by the Chief Social Worker, met for the first time on 16 June 2026. The board will meet quarterly. This represents an important step towards strengthening national oversight of local safeguarding adults boards. We will publish information regarding the new board on the GOV.UK website shortly, including a summary of meeting minutes.

Work is commencing immediately to update the Care Act statutory guidance on adult safeguarding. Under section 78(2) of the Care Act 2014, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, must consult before issuing statutory guidance, and the Department will work with the sector over the coming months to take this consultation forward.

The board will oversee an urgent review of the adult safeguarding legal framework.

The new national adult safeguarding board, chaired by the Chief Social Worker, met for the first time on 16 June 2026. The board will meet quarterly. This represents an important step towards strengthening national oversight of local safeguarding adults boards. We will publish information regarding the new board on the GOV.UK website shortly, including a summary of meeting minutes.

Work is commencing immediately to update the Care Act statutory guidance on adult safeguarding. Under section 78(2) of the Care Act 2014, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, must consult before issuing statutory guidance, and the Department will work with the sector over the coming months to take this consultation forward.

The board will oversee an urgent review of the adult safeguarding legal framework.

What progress his Department has made on the Identifying Local Vulnerability project.

The hon. Gentleman is correct to recognise the importance of this work. Data sharing with local authorities is essential, particularly working on homelessness prevention, on young people not in education, employment or training and on supporting families. There is a rich seam here if we get this work right, and we expect to see early benefits from the roll-out of the scheme by 2027.

As the Minister knows all too well, the DWP’s shortcomings can end in tragedy. Errol Graham was a benefits claimant who starved to death without heating, electricity or adequate food. His local council, his housing association, his GP and the DWP all held information highlighting risk, and if only they had been able to share it he would be alive today. The ILV project can show the whole picture, but the trial has faced delay after delay. Will the Minister commit to a firm delivery deadline?