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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the rise in rental costs on the finances of student households.

The Department continues to monitor private rent levels and understands that affordability may be an issue for some student households. DLUHC ministers and officials continue to take a cross-government approach to policy issues and work closely with colleagues in other departments.

Many higher education providers have hardship funds that students can apply to for assistance. In addition, all households will save on their energy bills through the Energy Price Guarantee and the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount. Students who buy their energy from a domestic supplier are eligible for the energy bills discount. As part of the package of support for rising energy bills, the Government is also giving a council tax rebate payment of £150 to households that were living in a property in council tax bands A to D as their main home on 1 April 2022. This includes full-time students that do not live in student halls or in property that is not considered a House in Multiple Occupation for council tax purposes.