Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support private renters in the context of the rising cost of living.

The Government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. That is why the Government has taken action to support those who need it most worth over £37 billion in 2022-23.

While three quarters of private renters find no difficulties in keeping up with their rent, we understand that affordability may be an issue for some and that they may require additional support.

The Government has supported private renters vulnerable to the rise in the cost of living by maintaining the Local Housing Allowance uplift in cash terms in 2022/23, which has already benefitted 1.5 million households by £600 on average over 20/21; providing £100 million in 2022/23 for Discretionary Housing Payments on top of almost £1.5 billion in Discretionary Housing Payments to Local Authorities since 2011; and also providing over £300 million for the Homelessness Prevention Grant in 2022/23 to help people find a new home, access support for unexpected evictions, and secure temporary accommodation where needed.

This is in addition to support provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Council Tax rebates, and an expansion of the Household Support Fund.