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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 1 February (HL5321), what statutory powers the Secretary of State has to intervene if the Homes and Communities Agency regulator is found to be failing in its responsibility to ensure that Circle Housing Group is properly managing its gas safety and repairs contractor.

I refer the noble Lady to my answer to her on 26 November 2015, PQ HL4002. The Social Housing Regulator is statutorily independent. The Secretary of State cannot, therefore, intervene in this matter. Details of the Social Housing Regulator's complaints procedure can be found (attached) at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-appeal-against-our-decisions. As with all public bodies, if there are grounds the Regulator can be challenged through the courts.