7 Former APPG memberships
Blockchain, Energy Studies, Maldives, Polar Regions, Shale Gas, Shale Gas Regulation and Planning, TaiwanDivision Voting information
Lord Truscott voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 3 Non-affiliated No votes vs 7 Non-affiliated Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 82 Noes - 172
Lord Truscott voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Non-affiliated No votes vs 7 Non-affiliated Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 279 Noes - 136
Lord Truscott voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Non-affiliated No votes vs 8 Non-affiliated Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 210 Noes - 213
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(3 debate interactions)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing)
(1 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(2 debate contributions)
(1 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
Lord Truscott has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debateLords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Lord Truscott, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Lord Truscott has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Lord Truscott has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 26 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Government recognises challenges with energy performance certificates (EPCs) and is consulting on proposals for improvements to the EPC system, including on how to make them more accurate and reliable.
As part of this, the Government is overhauling the methodology underpinning EPCs with the Home Energy Model. An initial consultation on the Home Energy Model closed in March 2024, which will be followed by a technical consultation on a revised EPC methodology in due course.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department is working closely with industry and Ofgem to reduce the proportion of smart meters not operating in smart mode. Data on this is included in the statistics the Government publishes every quarter on the progress of the smart metering rollout. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics and at Gov.UK. This shows that over 90% of smart meters are functioning in smart mode and that the proportion of meters operating in ‘traditional’ mode is steadily reducing. Smart meters operating in traditional mode continue to record energy usage accurately but do not send automatic readings to energy suppliers.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Questions
(View all Lord Truscott's DCMS questions)The Ministry of Justice currently publishes the annual number of prosecutions, convictions, and sentencing outcomes for non-payment of the TV licence fee as part of their criminal justice quarterly publications, which are available online. In 2023, the number of prosecutions for non-payment of the TV licence fee was 34,084.
As part of the next Charter Review, the government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models for the BBC, and their enforcement.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In 2023 the Government consulted on a registration scheme for short-term lets. Parliament then legislated for such a scheme in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. We are committed to the introduction of such a scheme as soon as possible.
We are now in the initial phase of digital development, which will enable us to test and refine the possible options for design and delivery of the scheme. We will set out further detail on how the scheme will work as soon as practicable, including a full response to the consultation, as well as further information on the legislative process that will bring the scheme to life.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Short-term lets are an important part of what the UK offers visitors in terms of accommodation and the government recognises that they bring a range of benefits to the visitor economy.
The government wants people living in our major tourism destinations, especially in coastal and rural villages and towns, to benefit from a thriving tourism industry without losing the spirit of their community when the holiday season ends.
Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This government is exploring the introduction of such a scheme.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government assesses a broad range of evidence that can assist with informing our understanding of what legislation is appropriate for e-scooters, and we recognise there are risks around the safe use of e-scooters which is why we are running trials of rental e-scooters.
Their purpose is to assess the benefits of e-scooters including their wider impacts, and to inform options for future regulation. The Government’s proposals for e-scooter regulations will take learning from the trials, academic research, stakeholder engagement and international evidence into consideration and we will consult on any new regulations before they come into force.
The Government also tracks the public’s attitudes, awareness and knowledge of e-scooters through the Transport Technology Tracker, with the most recent publication on 24 September 2024.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Resolving the longstanding problems and missed opportunities of micromobility and e-scooters is a priority for the Department for Transport and we will work with colleagues across Government to tackle this as soon as possible.
No decisions have been made on the future regulation of e-scooters and the Government will consult before any regulations come into force
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Resolving the longstanding problems and missed opportunities of micromobility and e-scooters is a priority for the Department for Transport and we will work with colleagues across Government to tackle this as soon as possible.
No decisions have been made on the future regulation of e-scooters and the Government will consult before any regulations come into force
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Resolving the longstanding problems and missed opportunities of micromobility and e-scooters is a priority for the Department for Transport and we will work with colleagues across Government to tackle this as soon as possible.
No decisions have been made on the future regulation of e-scooters and the Government will consult before any regulations come into force
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We will not reverse the previous Government’s decision to cancel Phase 2 of HS2 and our primary focus is the safe delivery of HS2 between Birmingham and London at the lowest reasonable cost.
We are committed to a long-term approach to infrastructure and investment, taking account of local transport priorities. We will thoroughly review the fiscal position we have inherited before setting out more detailed plans for this in due course.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
According to UK Finance’s latest quarterly Buy-to-Let statistical release (published 22 October), in Q2 2024 there were 51,459 new buy-to-let loans advanced in the UK, worth £8.9 billion. This was up 26% by number (27.7% by value) compared with the same quarter in the previous year.
There is a wide variety of data and statistics about the mortgage market in the UK available from the Bank of England [1] , the Financial Conduct Authority [2] and UK Finance [3].
[1] https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics
[2] https://www.fca.org.uk/data
[3] https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/data-and-research/data
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
According to UK Finance’s latest quarterly Buy-to-Let statistical release (published 22 October), in Q2 2024 there were 51,459 new buy-to-let loans advanced in the UK, worth £8.9 billion. This was up 26% by number (27.7% by value) compared with the same quarter in the previous year.
There is a wide variety of data and statistics about the mortgage market in the UK available from the Bank of England [1] , the Financial Conduct Authority [2] and UK Finance [3].
[1] https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics
[2] https://www.fca.org.uk/data
[3] https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/data-and-research/data
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
11 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions
(View all Lord Truscott's MHCLG questions)The Renters’ Rights Bill includes provisions for the Private Rented Sector Database to be funded through fees charged to private landlords when they register. Further details on fees will be set out in secondary legislation. We will take steps to make sure costs remain reasonable, proportionate and sustainable.
The new service will bring substantial benefits to landlords – providing a single source of information about their legal responsibilities, helping them showcase their compliance. It will also support local councils to enforce against unscrupulous landlords who undercut the responsible majority.
The Bill also provides local councils with the ability to prosecute or issue civil penalties for offences linked to Decent Homes Standard failures. Income generated from civil penalties can be used to fund further housing enforcement.
In accordance with the New Burdens Doctrine, we will ensure that, where necessary, the net additional costs that may fall on local councils as a result of our proposed reforms are fully funded.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 removes the requirement to pay marriage value in lease extensions and freehold acquisitions.
As set out in the Housing Minister’s Written Ministerial Statement on 21 November, the Government will act as quickly as possible to provide homeowners with greater rights, powers, and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of that Act.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government will ensure the immigration system is fair and controlled, while also being clear that net migration must come down.
The factors affecting supply in the private rented sector are complex and difficult to disentangle. As well as demographic change, they include house prices, rent levels, taxation policy, interest rates, and the movement of tenants into homeownership and social rented housing. While it is not possible to isolate the specific impact of each of these factors, it is important to recognise that the size of the private rented sector has doubled since 2002 to now be the second largest housing tenure. 4.7 million households rent privately, which is equivalent to 19% of the housing market – a figure which has remained relatively stable since 2013/14.
However, the Government recognises that the housing crisis we have inherited means that demand is currently outstripping the supply of properties available to let. This is why we will build 1.5m homes over this Parliament by taking bold action to reform our planning system, deliver a new generation of New Towns, and deliver the biggest increase in affordable housing for a generation.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents.
As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the Government is looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector. As part of our response to this report, the Government will strengthen regulation of managing agents to drive up the standard of their service.
As a minimum, this should include mandatory professional qualifications which set a new basic standard that managing agents will be required to meet. We will consult on this matter next year.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 22 November 2024, following scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Impact Assessment received a ‘green’ rating, indicating it is ‘fit for purpose’. The Impact Assessment is available at the following link.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Renters’ Rights Bill will remove fixed-term assured tenancies. Fixed-term tenancies mean renters are obliged to pay rent regardless of whether a property is up-to-standard, and they reduce flexibility to move in response to changing circumstances. Instead all tenancies will be periodic, with tenants able to give two months’ notice at any point.
The Government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Government will publish the impact assessment in due course.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Homelessness and rough sleeping levels in England are far too high. This has a devastating impact on those affected and harms our communities.
We must address this and deliver long-term solutions. The Government is considering these issues carefully and is committed to putting Britain back on track to ending homelessness. To do this we will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are intended to provide prospective buyers and tenants with a guide to the energy costs of different properties, which is simple to understand and allows comparison between properties.
A standardised methodology is used in the assessments of EPCs. The current methodology can be found here. The software used to calculate EPC ratings in existing properties is the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP).
Not all buildings are used in the same way, so the energy rating uses ‘standard occupancy’ assumptions which may be different from the way the building is used. We acknowledge that occupant behaviour is an important factor in determining the energy use of buildings. Encouraging occupants to use buildings more efficiently will be important in achieving the net zero target.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government will provide homeowners with greater rights, powers and protections over their homes. We are committed to implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. The Government is also committed to further reform the leasehold system, enacting the remaining Law Commission recommendations relating to leasehold enfranchisement and the Right to Manage.
We will enforce measures to prescribe the rates to be used in enfranchisement valuation calculations, which determine the cost leaseholders must pay to extend a lease or acquire a freehold. This will allow leaseholders to understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Ministry of Justice publishes data on sentencing outcomes for a wide range of offences including Television Licence Evasion in England and Wales between 2020 and June 2024 in the Outcomes by Offences data tool. This can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly: June 2024.
In the last five years there have been no sentences of immediate custody for Television Licence Evasion in England and Wales.
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government is committed to supporting all parties to access justice when making or defending a possession claim through the county courts. To support this, HMCTS is developing a digital service for possession claims. Plans for the delivery of this service are currently under development.
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)