Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission has considered providing a Changing Places toilet in Portcullis House.

Answered by Nick Smith

I can confirm we have considered the inclusion of a Changing Places toilet in Portcullis House.

The nearest Changing Places facility is in the Palace, so we fully recognise the importance of providing one in Portcullis House and are committed to exploring how best to deliver it in future. It is something we want to do and acknowledge it is needed to support accessibility and inclusion. Based on initial assessments, the most appropriate location would be on the first floor within the publicly accessible area. However, installation would require significant refurbishment and the relocation of an existing office.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of improving the regulations on registering as a provider of social housing.

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

The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 sets out who is eligible for registration and gives the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) the power to set criteria on certain matters that landlords must meet to register with them.

RSH’s registration criteria is designed so that once registered, social housing landlords can meet ongoing regulatory requirements: to provide safe, well-maintained homes through organisation that are well governed and financially viable.

Both the Department and the Regulator engage regularly with stakeholders and remain open to receiving feedback on engaging with the registration process.