Asked by: Lord Udny-Lister (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the evidence available to them in making their decision to reduce Homes for Ukraine payments, and (2) whether the reduced amount will be sufficient to encourage existing hosts to continue providing accommodation; and whether they intend to publish the business case and equality impact assessment relating to that decision.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government considered the available evidence on homelessness, sponsorship sustainability, local authority impacts and affordability when deciding the future funding arrangements for Homes for Ukraine.
The scheme has evolved from an emergency response into an established programme, with the announced changes ensuring the scheme remains sustainable. Thank you payments will continue to be paid as a gesture of appreciation for those opening their homes - this does not represent a rent payment or a long-term funding arrangement. From 1 January 2027, thank you payments will be £100 per household each month. Sponsors and hosts may ask adult guests to contribute reasonably towards household expenses or consider a formal rental arrangement.
The local authority tariff will also reduce from £5,900 to £3,300 from 1 January but will remain un-ringfenced and can support rematching and homelessness prevention.
Current available data indicates that most Ukrainian households at risk of homelessness have had that risk prevented or relieved. Local authorities can continue to use the un-ringfenced Homes for Ukraine tariff flexibly to support rematching, homelessness prevention and sustainable housing options. The Department will continue to monitor homelessness data and work with local authorities.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to issue guidance encouraging local domestic abuse partnerships to engage formally with faith-based organisations and faith leaders as part of their local strategies for tackling violence against women and girls.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.
Asked by: Lord Udny-Lister (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on local authority homelessness and temporary accommodation costs of reducing Homes for Ukraine payments from 1 January 2027 and how many hosting arrangements they expect to end as a result; and whether councils will receive additional funding for any resulting increase in homelessness.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government considered the available evidence on homelessness, sponsorship sustainability, local authority impacts and affordability when deciding the future funding arrangements for Homes for Ukraine.
The scheme has evolved from an emergency response into an established programme, with the announced changes ensuring the scheme remains sustainable. Thank you payments will continue to be paid as a gesture of appreciation for those opening their homes - this does not represent a rent payment or a long-term funding arrangement. From 1 January 2027, thank you payments will be £100 per household each month. Sponsors and hosts may ask adult guests to contribute reasonably towards household expenses or consider a formal rental arrangement.
The local authority tariff will also reduce from £5,900 to £3,300 from 1 January but will remain un-ringfenced and can support rematching and homelessness prevention.
Current available data indicates that most Ukrainian households at risk of homelessness have had that risk prevented or relieved. Local authorities can continue to use the un-ringfenced Homes for Ukraine tariff flexibly to support rematching, homelessness prevention and sustainable housing options. The Department will continue to monitor homelessness data and work with local authorities.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to work with faith-based organisations as trusted community institutions for women at risk of domestic abuse.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to integrate faith-based organisations into local domestic abuse referral pathways.
Answered by Baroness Blake of Leeds - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse as part of its ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Achieving this will require a whole of society approach, including from faith organisations, which play a vital role in supporting people and places to thrive.
Since 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England have had a statutory duty to ensure that victims of domestic abuse and their children can access support in relevant safe accommodation when needed, backed by £499 million government funding over the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. Statutory guidance makes clear that in delivering the duty, local authorities should consider the needs of all victims; understand barriers to accessing support within relevant safe accommodation, including those linked to religion or belief; and ensure appropriate specialist support is available for victims with relevant protected characteristics, including religion or belief.
Local authorities must appoint and consult a domestic abuse Local Partnership Board including a representative of local charities or voluntary organisations supporting domestic abuse victims, and are encouraged to appoint additional members where this reflects local circumstances and need.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the role of public playgrounds in helping to reduce levels of (a) childhood obesity and (b) physical inactivity.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government works with EA and water companies ensuring they take actions required to secure water supplies, including fixing more leaks quickly, optimising and moving water around their networks and holding them accountable if they delay drought plan actions. National Drought Group meets weekly ensuring coordinated action across affected sectors.
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in which mayoral combined authorities 100% business rate retention pilots are operating; from what date the pilots commenced; and what the tier split is between the combined authority and the local councils in each case.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government has committed to giving mayors a share of business rates from April 2027, more will be set out in the fiscal devolution roadmap this autumn.
In 2026-27 the following 100% business rates (BR) retention pilots are operating - Cornwall Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority area, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area, West Midlands Combined Authority area and the West of England Combined Authority area.
All of these 100% BR retention pilots commenced from 2017-18.
Details of how business rates are allocated across each region are included on pages 26 and 27 of the 2026-27 Local Government Finance, which is published here The Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27.
It should be noted that the precise calculation of business rates revenues retained locally will also be impacted by other parts of the business rates retention system such as top ups and tariffs, levy and safety net payments, and revenues from local pooling arrangements.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help reduce housefires in Lincolnshire.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government’s Fire Kills national advertising campaign provides clear, practical advice to help residents prevent fires in their homes and respond safely if a fire occurs. This year focuses on the need to have sufficient smoke alarms in the home. The campaign supports fire and rescue services, including Lincolnshire, to deliver their statutory duty to promote fire safety through local fire prevention activity.
MHCLG supports work with the National Fire Chiefs Council to provide a nationally consistent approach to Home Fire Safety Visits across services, tailoring each intervention to the individuals within a particular home. This is augmented with a free online home fire safety check tool, which provides people with fire safety advice tailored to their household and property.
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Highgate)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will set a date by when she will issue the necessary Regulations under s.111 of the Building Safety Act 2022 and insert subsection 30E of s.112 into the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, to provide life-safety support to Directors of higher-risk buildings by allowing the appointment of a paid director for a building safety purpose.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has carefully considered the consultation responses on Building Safety Directors alongside experience of operating the new building safety regime. The Government's position on the commencement of the Building Safety Director provisions, including regulations under section 111 of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the related provisions under section 112, will be set out in the forthcoming response to the consultation.
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government whether, whether Viva Midco Limited (parent company of Avant Homes) remains a member of the Responsible Actors Scheme.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Yes, Viva Midco Limited, parent company of Avant Homes, remains a member of the Responsible Actors Scheme. The names of Scheme members are listed on gov.uk.