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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with social housing providers on (a) the Decent Homes Standard and (b) the provision of furnished tenancies in social housing in relation to levels of furniture poverty.

My Department engages actively with registered providers of social housing on all issues facing social housing tenants.

We will be consulting this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.

People in need may be able to get help for essential furniture from their local council through the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.