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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to re-evaluate the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to expand the powers of the social housing regulator to allow the regulator to monitor furniture provision within social housing.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision.

People living without essential furniture can access support through their local authority, including via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to provide discretionary help with essential items such as furniture.

In 2025, the government consulted on proposals to reform the Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sectors. As part of this, we sought views on how furniture provision could be addressed within best practice guidance.

Our response to the consultation was published in January 2026, confirming our commitment to issue guidance relating to furniture provision. The consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

As we progress work in this area, my Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including tenant organisations, charities and landlords who already provide essential items to tenants in need.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will take steps promote furnished tenancy schemes and to include the Best Practice Guide for Furniture Provision within the Decent Homes Standard.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision.

People living without essential furniture can access support through their local authority, including via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to provide discretionary help with essential items such as furniture.

In 2025, the government consulted on proposals to reform the Decent Homes Standard for both the social and private rented sectors. As part of this, we sought views on how furniture provision could be addressed within best practice guidance.

Our response to the consultation was published in January 2026, confirming our commitment to issue guidance relating to furniture provision. The consultation response can be found on gov.uk here.

As we progress work in this area, my Department will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders including tenant organisations, charities and landlords who already provide essential items to tenants in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of banning trade with Israeli settlements.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Last week, the Foreign Secretary, alongside the Department for Business and Trade, strengthened our business risk guidance to make it clear and unambiguous that British citizens and businesses should not conduct any economic or financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements.

That brings our business guidance into line with our long-standing position that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace. We will continue to co-ordinate with our international partners and look at further concrete steps we can take to counter settlement expansion, promote peace and security, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a national target for the number of passengers switching from driving to public transport.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Government is focused on making sustainable travel options the most attractive, convenient and affordable choice for everyday journeys. We're supporting drivers to benefit from the lower and more predictable running cost of an electric car through our £2 billion Electric Car Grant. The Government is also supporting sustainable travel through our Better Connected strategy, the Bus Services Act 2025 and the Railways Bill alongside investment in public transport, active travel and support for shared mobility. Making it easy and practical to choose greener transport options will help accelerate the shift to lower-emission travel.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure the long term provision of Local Welfare Assistance in Manchester Rusholme constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, the Government is providing long-term funding for locally delivered crisis support in England until March 2029. This includes funding for Manchester City Council who have responsibility for delivery in Manchester Rusholme.

Manchester City Council also receives funding separately for local welfare assistance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through their Local Government Finance Settlement.

Found: EHRC, and just take you back to your pre-appointment hearing where my colleague on the JCHR, Afzal Khan