Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Hinchliff Excerpts

Monday 13th April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Pochin (Runcorn and Helsby) (Reform)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that housing associations improve the quality of social housing.

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

22. What steps he is taking to improve standards for social housing.

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)]

Alongside our commitment to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation, the Government are determined to drive a transformational and lasting change in the safety and quality of social housing. To that end, we have begun the implementation of Awaab’s law, introduced a new, modernised decent homes standard, updated minimum energy efficiency standards and directed the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards relating to the competence and conduct of social housing staff.

--- Later in debate ---

[Matthew Pennycook]

Social landlords are held to regulatory standards that are overseen by the regulator. I am sorry to hear about the experience of John and Barbara and others. If the hon. Lady would like to write to me with details about the case, I will happily look into it.

[Chris Hinchliff]

More social housing is essential but, as Members across the House will know, increasingly distant housing associations are often far too quick to put up fees and far too slow to tackle damp, mould and disrepair. What more will the Minister do to ensure that future public funding comes with clear strings attached to require better standards for our constituents?

[Matthew Pennycook]

Registered providers of social housing, whoever they are, must address non-decency wherever it exists and must do so in a timely and professional manner. Where there are concerns that an RP is not delivering against the required regulatory standards, as I just mentioned, referrals can be made to the regulator, and the regulator has robust enforcement powers that allow it to take effective action when serious failings are identified.