Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

Councils should, wherever possible, seek to place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse).

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out the government’s intention to engage with councils to address poor practice – to clarify what is suitable and make expectations on sending and receiving councils clear. Authorities receiving out of area placements must be notified in accordance with the law – this should involve engagement with the receiving authority to minimise disruption to health services, education and vital support networks.

This work will form part of the action plan to deliver the Plan.

We have published new data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data on gov.uk here.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils. Requests for postponements came from councils and have been considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all other representations received. Parliament has given the Secretary of State the power to make an Order to change the year of council elections. There are Parliamentary procedures for MPs and Peers to debate and vote on an Order.

While short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government recognise that excessive concentrations of them impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.

We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets as well as second homes.

There has been no freeze on the Housing Revenue Account since the social housing rent reduction policy between 2016 and 2020.

For steps the government is taking to support the sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).

The government has today announced further measures to support local authorities to build more social and affordable homes, including confirmation of our approach to Social Rent convergence. Details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS1283).

There has been no freeze on the Housing Revenue Account since the social housing rent reduction policy between 2016 and 2020.

For steps the government is taking to support the sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).

The government has today announced further measures to support local authorities to build more social and affordable homes, including confirmation of our approach to Social Rent convergence. Details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS1283).

For information on the flexibilities available to local authorities to increase social and affordable housing supply, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771), and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme policy statement published on 7 November, which can be found on gov.uk here.

The government has today announced further measures to support local authorities to build more social and affordable homes, including confirmation of our approach to Social Rent convergence. Details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS1283).

Over the course of this parliament, the government is determined to honour the commitments made in our manifesto and do what is necessary to finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end.

We continue to progressively implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Yesterday, the government published its draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. Further detail can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made (HCWS1278).

As per our manifesto commitment, this government is taking the steps necessary to finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end in this Parliament.

Publication of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was delayed by a matter of weeks to finalise elements of policy and drafting.

The draft Bill was published yesterday, and I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made (HCWS1278).

As per our manifesto commitment, this government is taking the steps necessary to finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end in this Parliament.

Publication of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was delayed by a matter of weeks to finalise elements of policy and drafting.

The draft Bill was published yesterday, and I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made (HCWS1278).

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent about this process and the Secretary of State considered the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received and other relevant matters.

I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. We are preparing the necessary order, which will be laid in both houses when parliamentary time allows. The order will use section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of those specified local authorities are to be held.

The Secretary of State also has powers to implement proposals for local government reorganisation using the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. These allow him to legislate for electoral matters. These powers are used to replace elections to councils which are shortly to be abolished with elections to the new councils for the area. An order using these powers is currently before the House in relation to local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Councils communicate regularly with the public they serve and will issue information as appropriate.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent about this process and the Secretary of State considered the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received and other relevant matters.

I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. We are preparing the necessary order, which will be laid in both houses when parliamentary time allows. The order will use section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of those specified local authorities are to be held.

The Secretary of State also has powers to implement proposals for local government reorganisation using the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. These allow him to legislate for electoral matters. These powers are used to replace elections to councils which are shortly to be abolished with elections to the new councils for the area. An order using these powers is currently before the House in relation to local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Councils communicate regularly with the public they serve and will issue information as appropriate.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent about this process and the Secretary of State considered the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received and other relevant matters.

I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. We are preparing the necessary order, which will be laid in both houses when parliamentary time allows. The order will use section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of those specified local authorities are to be held.

The Secretary of State also has powers to implement proposals for local government reorganisation using the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. These allow him to legislate for electoral matters. These powers are used to replace elections to councils which are shortly to be abolished with elections to the new councils for the area. An order using these powers is currently before the House in relation to local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Councils communicate regularly with the public they serve and will issue information as appropriate.

In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent about this process and the Secretary of State considered the position of each council individually, weighing up the evidence received and other relevant matters.

I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. We are preparing the necessary order, which will be laid in both houses when parliamentary time allows. The order will use section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of those specified local authorities are to be held.

The Secretary of State also has powers to implement proposals for local government reorganisation using the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. These allow him to legislate for electoral matters. These powers are used to replace elections to councils which are shortly to be abolished with elections to the new councils for the area. An order using these powers is currently before the House in relation to local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Councils communicate regularly with the public they serve and will issue information as appropriate.

The National Plan to End Homelessness recognises the important role of voluntary, community and faith groups in delivering homelessness prevention work and forming partnerships with other local services and encourages councils and Mayors to develop their partnership working to strengthen services in their areas.

Through the £37 million Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, we will invest in these services to help people rebuild their lives and stay off the streets for good. This will support over 100 voluntary sector organisations and reach over 60,000 people a year.

Local authorities can also use government funding for homelessness and rough sleeping to commission services delivered by charities and voluntary groups in their area. The government has invested more than £1 billion in homelessness services this year.

The National Plan to End Homelessness recognises the important role of voluntary, community and faith groups in delivering homelessness prevention work and forming partnerships with other local services and encourages councils and Mayors to develop their partnership working to strengthen services in their areas.

Through the £37 million Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, we will invest in these services to help people rebuild their lives and stay off the streets for good. This will support over 100 voluntary sector organisations and reach over 60,000 people a year.

Local authorities can also use government funding for homelessness and rough sleeping to commission services delivered by charities and voluntary groups in their area. The government has invested more than £1 billion in homelessness services this year.

At revaluations, adjustments through the business rates retention system ensure that as far as possible local authorities do not see a change in the income they raise from business rates.

In 2026-27, the business rates retention system is being reset as part of the design of the multi-year settlement which will also deliver the Fair Funding Review reforms. The reset includes a new measurement of all local authorities’ income which takes into account the impact of the 2026 revaluation, and reallocates business rates funding according to an updated measurement of local government funding need.

At revaluations, adjustments through the business rates retention system ensure that as far as possible local authorities do not see a change in the income they raise from business rates.

In 2026-27, the business rates retention system is being reset as part of the design of the multi-year settlement which will also deliver the Fair Funding Review reforms. The reset includes a new measurement of all local authorities’ income which takes into account the impact of the 2026 revaluation, and reallocates business rates funding according to an updated measurement of local government funding need.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 introduced a duty for all local housing authorities in England to formulate and publish local supported housing strategies. The government will provide new burdens funding and publish guidance shortly, setting out how local authorities should undertake an analysis of existing supported housing provision, current unmet need and future need.

Young people need the right support alongside housing to improve health, wellbeing and access employment, enabling them to access and retain housing and reducing their risk of homelessness and rough sleeping. Funding for housing support services is primarily through the Local Government Finance Settlement and commissioning of services is for local authorities to determine.

We have confirmed a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to kickstart social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country. We want to see new supply of supported housing in England through the new programme, in greater numbers and also across a diverse range of cohorts and housing types, including for vulnerable young people.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 introduced a duty for all local housing authorities in England to formulate and publish local supported housing strategies. The government will provide new burdens funding and publish guidance shortly, setting out how local authorities should undertake an analysis of existing supported housing provision, current unmet need and future need.

Young people need the right support alongside housing to improve health, wellbeing and access employment, enabling them to access and retain housing and reducing their risk of homelessness and rough sleeping. Funding for housing support services is primarily through the Local Government Finance Settlement and commissioning of services is for local authorities to determine.

We have confirmed a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to kickstart social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country. We want to see new supply of supported housing in England through the new programme, in greater numbers and also across a diverse range of cohorts and housing types, including for vulnerable young people.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 introduced a duty for all local housing authorities in England to formulate and publish local supported housing strategies. The government will provide new burdens funding and publish guidance shortly, setting out how local authorities should undertake an analysis of existing supported housing provision, current unmet need and future need.

Young people need the right support alongside housing to improve health, wellbeing and access employment, enabling them to access and retain housing and reducing their risk of homelessness and rough sleeping. Funding for housing support services is primarily through the Local Government Finance Settlement and commissioning of services is for local authorities to determine.

We have confirmed a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to kickstart social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country. We want to see new supply of supported housing in England through the new programme, in greater numbers and also across a diverse range of cohorts and housing types, including for vulnerable young people.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 introduced a duty for all local housing authorities in England to formulate and publish local supported housing strategies. The government will provide new burdens funding and publish guidance shortly, setting out how local authorities should undertake an analysis of existing supported housing provision, current unmet need and future need.

Young people need the right support alongside housing to improve health, wellbeing and access employment, enabling them to access and retain housing and reducing their risk of homelessness and rough sleeping. Funding for housing support services is primarily through the Local Government Finance Settlement and commissioning of services is for local authorities to determine.

We have confirmed a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to kickstart social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country. We want to see new supply of supported housing in England through the new programme, in greater numbers and also across a diverse range of cohorts and housing types, including for vulnerable young people.

We have a monthly subscription with xPro and have spent £153.60 since July 2024.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is responsible for delivering fair electoral and boundary arrangements for English councils. The Commission’s main focus is a rolling programme of electoral reviews, and they produce a range of guidance and resources which are available on their website, setting out the detail of how they conduct electoral reviews, including their process of consultation.

As an independent body, responsible to Parliament, the process for public consultation on redrawing local council electoral ward boundaries is a matter for the Commission in line with its statutory duties. The Department has no plans to reform this.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is committed to working in close partnership with local authorities to develop and deliver a new, more sustainable model for asylum accommodation.

While we do not plan to publish a list of the individual local authorities we have engaged with, our approach has been designed to ensure we hear from a broad and representative range of local authorities during the development of the new model.

The Secretary of State has not issued any guidance to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) on adjusting levy arrangements or supplements in response to changes in rateable values from the 2026 business rates revaluation. BID levies are set locally through ballot‑approved proposals and are not automatically affected by national revaluation or multipliers, so any adjustment is a matter for the individual BID under its governing arrangements.

Ministers are taking the time to review and consider the independent Working Group’s advice before confirming next steps in due course.

As per the Working Group's Terms of Reference, a definition could provide the government and other relevant bodies with a greater understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities.

The Government is committed to ending the use of asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament. To support this the Home Office are exploring a programme of reforms to the asylum accommodation estate including work to bring back derelict buildings back into use and develop community-led alternatives.

Alongside this the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is also launching a new fund to support local authorities to make available basic alternative accommodation so it can be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed.

The application and calculation of BID supplements and the Business Rates Supplement in London are matters for the BID body and the GLA respectively. The government does not determine these levies.

The government expects registered providers of social housing to develop solutions that make best use of their stock.

When framing the rules which determine the size of property to allocate to different households and in different circumstances, local housing authorities are free to set their own criteria, provided they do not result in a household being statutorily overcrowded.

As announced in our National Plan to End Homelessness in December last year, we will work with stakeholders to review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.

My Department engages regularly with build to rent operators and other stakeholders from the sector in relation to the reforms that we are making to the private rented sector and will continue to do so to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Impact Assessment for the Act is available here. While this does not model the specific impacts referred to in the hon. Member’s questions, it concludes that the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually (0.2% of mean annual rents).

My Department engages regularly with build to rent operators and other stakeholders from the sector in relation to the reforms that we are making to the private rented sector and will continue to do so to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Impact Assessment for the Act is available here. While this does not model the specific impacts referred to in the hon. Member’s questions, it concludes that the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually (0.2% of mean annual rents).

My Department engages regularly with build to rent operators and other stakeholders from the sector in relation to the reforms that we are making to the private rented sector and will continue to do so to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Impact Assessment for the Act is available here. While this does not model the specific impacts referred to in the hon. Member’s questions, it concludes that the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually (0.2% of mean annual rents).

My Department engages regularly with build to rent operators and other stakeholders from the sector in relation to the reforms that we are making to the private rented sector and will continue to do so to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Impact Assessment for the Act is available here. While this does not model the specific impacts referred to in the hon. Member’s questions, it concludes that the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually (0.2% of mean annual rents).

My Department engages regularly with build to rent operators and other stakeholders from the sector in relation to the reforms that we are making to the private rented sector and will continue to do so to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

The Impact Assessment for the Act is available here. While this does not model the specific impacts referred to in the hon. Member’s questions, it concludes that the costs of our reforms are estimated to be just £22 per rented property annually (0.2% of mean annual rents).

The use of data collected by Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) schemes is governed by the Housing Act 2004 and by the individual data sharing agreements in place with each scheme provider.

My Department has not undertaken a detailed assessment of options for controlled public access or publication of rental price data held by the statutory tenancy deposit schemes.

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 does not provide powers that would enable any further use of TDP data beyond the purposes for which it is currently permitted.

The government‘s £3.5 billion Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme (PRSGS) was reopened in March 2025 to new applicants for another three years and makes loan guarantees available for Build-to-Rent operators to support housebuilding

Build to Rent operators are also one of the groups that benefit from finance from our £2 billion Home Building Fund.

We have also announced that the National Housing Bank, backed by up to £16 billion of finance, will be launched in April 2026. Its detailed investment approach will be outlined in due course.

On 13 November 2025, the government published a roadmap for implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The roadmap sets out how we are helping tenants, landlords and other interested parties understand their new rights and responsibilities. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We have already published guidance for local councils and landlords to help them prepare ahead of implementation of Phase 1 from 1 May 2026. Guidance for tenants will follow in April.

In addition, we have launched a multi-platform communications campaign to raise awareness of the Act. This includes a paid landlord-focused campaign, press work, and a new campaign site. This campaign will be extended in April to reach tenants and inform them of their rights.

We are continuing to work closely with sector representative organisations and advice providers to make sure those who may be harder to reach understand what the reforms mean for them and have access to up-to-date advice. To support this, we have increased our existing funding to Shelter’s Expert Housing Advice Line.