Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners sentenced to Imprisonment for Public Protection who have been recalled to prison have been released by the Secretary of State under section 32ZZA of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.

Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

29 prisoners serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection were released by the Secretary of State under section 32ZZA of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 between 1 November 2024 (when the power became available) and 1 June 2025. We are determined to make progress towards safe and sustainable releases for those in prison, but not in a way that undermines public protection.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what definition they use for "knowingly" and "recklessly" in the offence of knowingly or recklessly misusing a possession ground under section 16J of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by section 15 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Renters' Rights Act delivers the government's manifesto commitment to overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, including by abolishing Section 21 'no fault' evictions.

Misuse of a possession ground is a serious matter, particularly where this results in the tenant giving up their tenancy. It is ultimately for the courts and tribunals to determine what “knowingly” and “recklessly” mean when deciding whether the offence under section 16J(1) has been committed.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many local authority staff in England have responsibility for enforcement action in the private rented sector.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

My Department does not currently hold the requested information. However, we are in the process of implementing a new mandatory collection of private rented sector enforcement data from local housing authorities, which will include the number of full-time equivalent staff responsible for enforcement in the private rented sector.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government in what circumstances they would make regulations under section 14ZB(6) of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by section 7(10) of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question (attached) UIN HL10508.

Found: In response to a recent written question from Lord Carter of Haslemere (HL10508), the Minister reaffirmed

Found: sitting.Current membership House of Lords Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative; Life peer) Lord Carter of Haslemere