Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the document entitled Afghan homelessness management information: 1 July 2023 to 31 August 2023, published on 19 September 2023, what data his Department has collected from local authorities since that publication; if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities provide that data at regular intervals; and when he plans to publish an update to that publication.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities continues to monitor homelessness amongst Afghan nationals previously housed in bridging accommodation, working closely to support local authorities in England so they are able to carry out their duties. As housing is devolved, the Devolved Administrations are responsible for working with councils to monitor homelessness for Afghan households in Wales or Scotland.
The vast majority of Afghans who were in bridging hotels have been supported to move into settled accommodation.
We will continue to support Afghans into settled housing, including through the Local Authority Housing Fund which helps to house Ukrainian and Afghan families in England.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made a recent assessment of levels of homelessness among Afghan nationals previously housed in bridging accommodation in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities continues to monitor homelessness amongst Afghan nationals previously housed in bridging accommodation, working closely to support local authorities in England so they are able to carry out their duties. As housing is devolved, the Devolved Administrations are responsible for working with councils to monitor homelessness for Afghan households in Wales or Scotland.
The vast majority of Afghans who were in bridging hotels have been supported to move into settled accommodation.
We will continue to support Afghans into settled housing, including through the Local Authority Housing Fund which helps to house Ukrainian and Afghan families in England.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2023 to Question 191889 on Voting Rights: British Nationals Abroad, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward secondary legislation under the Elections Act 2022 to implement his policies on overseas voting before the General Election.
Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Details of legislation will be set out in the usual way.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found within their Department's estate.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
Survey work is underway. For now, the focus is on bringing together the information we hold about the Government estate into one place. This work is being coordinated by the Office for Government Property.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, on how many occasions a request for a meeting by an hon. Member was not agreed to by (a) a Minister and (b) their office on behalf of a Minister in the last 12 months.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
This information is not centrally collated and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many sewage leaks have been recorded within their Department's estate in the last twelve months.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
None.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what progress has been made in developing secondary legislation on overseas voting.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
The Elections Act gained Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The necessary secondary legislation is currently being developed and will be brought forward in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Individuals applying to register as overseas electors are currently subject to identity checks.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate ID requirements for overseas voters.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
The Elections Act gained Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The necessary secondary legislation is currently being developed and will be brought forward in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Individuals applying to register as overseas electors are currently subject to identity checks.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department plans to have implemented secondary legislation on overseas voting.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
The Elections Act gained Royal Assent on 28 April 2022. The necessary secondary legislation is currently being developed and will be brought forward in due course. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Individuals applying to register as overseas electors are currently subject to identity checks.
Asked by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether hosts under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme who are employing their Ukranian sponsorees are permitted to charge the accommodation offset against the National Minimum Wage in addition to receiving the Government payment for hosting.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
No, lead sponsors are not eligible for the monthly thank you payment if they are charging rent from their guests.