I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 16 July 2026 to Question UIN HL1654 (attached) on powers available to social housing landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.

Through our Crime and Policing Act, which achieved Royal Assent in April, we are making our streets and neighbourhoods safer by strengthening the powers available to the police and other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour. Our new Respect Orders, which social landlords will be able to use where the ASB directly or indirectly relates to or affects its housing management functions, will give local agencies stronger enforcement capability to tackle the most relentless adult ASB offenders. Respect Orders will be in force from 26 October.

Social landlords already have a wide range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour, and the Regulator of Social Housing’s neighbour and community standard already requires registered providers to work with relevant partners to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents.

Recent legislation has strengthened these powers even further. The Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent in April, has strengthened the powers available to the police and other agencies, including stronger measures to deal with the most persistent offenders. The Renters’ Rights Act also shortened the notice period for the mandatory anti-social behaviour eviction ground and once implemented in the social rented sector, landlords will, in cases of anti-social behaviour, be able to make a claim to the court faster.

The Renters Rights Act (RRA) received royal assent on the 27 October 2025. A phased implementation of the RRA commenced on 1 May 2026, abolishing Section 21 and introducing the tenancy reforms for the Private Rented Sector.

The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly data on possession proceedings at - Mortgage and landlord possession statistics - GOV.UK.

In 2025, the number of possession claims submitted by landlords was 91,092, down from 98,766 in 2024 and from 94,211 in 2023. The number of repossessions by Count Court Bailiffs was 29,067, up from 28,035 in 2024 and from 25,282 in 2023.

Social landlords, including local authorities, already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.

The Renters’ Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2025, will strengthen the grounds for eviction due to antisocial behaviour, allowing landlords to begin possession proceedings immediately for both mandatory and discretionary ASB‑related grounds.

The Ministry of Justice (including its executive agency His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that the courts have sufficient capacity to manage the impact of the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 including the increase in Section 8 claims following its commencement.

This year, over 80,000 sitting days were committed to the civil jurisdiction. This is a significant increase and recognises the importance of the civil jurisdiction.

English Housing Survey 2024-2025 data, which can be found on gov.uk here, indicates that the size of the private rented sector remains stable at around 19% of households in England.

My Department has made no specific assessment of the availability of rental accommodation since section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions were abolished on 1 May 2026.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, make clear that from January to March 2026, accelerated possession claims in England decreased by 12% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

We continue to monitor trends across the private rented sector and is conducting a robust evaluation of the impact of the Renters' Rights Act. Evaluation reports will be published two and five years after implementation.

The government has published guidance on enforcement measures for landlords, which can be found on gov.uk here, and for local authorities, which can be found on gov.uk here.

This guidance contains information regarding the definitions of “knowingly” and “reckless” in relation to the misuse of a possession ground.

The Pubs Code only applies to pub companies with over 500 tied tenants. The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is responsible for regulating those covered by the Code and can provide support to tenants on any Code related issues.

Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 can provide commercial tenants with a statutory right to security of tenure in the correct circumstances. A tenant may also have a statutory right to claim cash compensation for improvements under Part I of the Act. The government does not hold data on the number of Section 25 notices issued.

The Pubs Code only applies to pub companies with over 500 tied tenants. The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is responsible for regulating those covered by the Code and can provide support to tenants on any Code related issues.

Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 can provide commercial tenants with a statutory right to security of tenure in the correct circumstances. A tenant may also have a statutory right to claim cash compensation for improvements under Part I of the Act. The government does not hold data on the number of Section 25 notices issued.

The Pubs Code only applies to pub companies with over 500 tied tenants. The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) is responsible for regulating those covered by the Code and can provide support to tenants on any Code related issues.

Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 can provide commercial tenants with a statutory right to security of tenure in the correct circumstances. A tenant may also have a statutory right to claim cash compensation for improvements under Part I of the Act. The government does not hold data on the number of Section 25 notices issued.

A section 25 notice under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 may seek to terminate a business tenancy or propose terms for its renewal. A pub tenant may challenge such notice through several routes including making an application to court for a new tenancy before the notice expiry.

As with any civil claim there are costs involved which may include paying a fee to the court; and those of seeking professional legal advice or representation. Court and tribunal fees are an essential source of income for the Department and ensure that HMCTS has the resources necessary to deliver its services effectively. To ensure individuals are not deprived access to justice due to their financial circumstances, a Help with Fee scheme operates to help those with little or no savings, are on certain benefits or have a low income.

The general principle in England and Wales is, however, that costs are recoverable; usually the loser pays the winner’s costs, including any court fees, as well as their own. Recoverable costs in most cases up to the value of £100,000 in the County Court are governed by the Fixed Recoverable Cost (FRC) regime, which is designed to ensure access to justice at proportionate cost. The FRC provides those thinking of launching legal proceedings clear and transparent information on the costs they can recover allowing them to make informed litigation decisions.

To help manage the cost of litigation, individuals may wish to consider a range of funding options, including conditional fee agreements, damages-based agreements, and insurance products such as after-the-event cover. Third-party litigation funding may also be available in some circumstances.

The Government considers that the current framework for civil litigation costs strikes an appropriate balance between supporting access to justice and ensuring costs remain proportionate. There are no plans to change this approach regarding costs in section 25 claims.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, make clear that from January to March 2026, accelerated possession claims in England decreased by 12% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The government-funded Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service provides access to free, non-means tested early legal advice to anyone at risk of possession proceedings and loss of their home.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 94620 on 4 December 2025 and UIN 91209 on 24 November 2025.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, make clear that from January to March 2026, accelerated possession claims in England decreased by 12% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The government-funded Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service provides access to free, non-means tested early legal advice to anyone at risk of possession proceedings and loss of their home.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 94620 on 4 December 2025 and UIN 91209 on 24 November 2025.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, make clear that from January to March 2026, accelerated possession claims in England decreased by 12% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The government-funded Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service provides access to free, non-means tested early legal advice to anyone at risk of possession proceedings and loss of their home.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 94620 on 4 December 2025 and UIN 91209 on 24 November 2025.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, make clear that from January to March 2026, accelerated possession claims in England decreased by 12% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The government-funded Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service provides access to free, non-means tested early legal advice to anyone at risk of possession proceedings and loss of their home.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 94620 on 4 December 2025 and UIN 91209 on 24 November 2025.

The UK engages with the Government of Pakistan on the rights of religious minorities, including the treatment of Christians, at Ministerial and official levels as appropriate. I raised the treatment of religious minorities directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in August 2025 and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in March 2025.

The Government is clear that there is no need for landlords to evict tenants ahead of the ban on no fault evictions on 1 May and landlords should give tenants the housing security they deserve. We will continue to engage across the sector ahead of 1 May to prevent unnecessary evictions and ensure smooth implementation of the new tenancy system.

Landlords will have robust grounds for possession where there is good reason to take their property back. As such, my Department does not expect a spike in section 21 evictions ahead of implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026. The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics (attached) show that there was a 17% decrease in section 21 accelerated possession claims in England in October to December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.

The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.