Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of automatic tests for (a) carbon monoxide and (b) other toxins for people who have died of unexplained causes.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions has not held any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on automatic tests as gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue.
There is a Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which has members from several government departments such as the UK Health Security Agency, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Health and Safety Executive. The Group ensures a joined-up approach to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning and improve gas safety, whilst maintaining an overview of incidents and trends, and publishing an Annual Report to explain the collective work of government.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) ambulance staff and (b) other medical staff who visit homes are provided personal alarm equipment to sense carbon monoxide.
Answered by Will Quince
No such steps are currently planned by the Department. The provision of safety equipment to National Health Service staff is an operational matter for the NHS.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with representatives of the gas industry on training for operatives to reconnect, relight and test gas appliances for carbon monoxide.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Regulating the safety of gas work is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Standards of training in gas work are overseen by the Gas Safe Register as the Standard Setting Body, and EU Skills who facilitate the Strategic Management Board (SMB). The SMB is deemed to be the scheme owner for the nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for individual gas fitting operatives training in gas work. HSE have a standing invitation to attend all SMB meetings as an observer.
As part of a core training module, all Gas Safe registered engineers are given an awareness of carbon monoxide risks and are trained to carry out the safety checks required by law after work has been carried out. Testing of gas appliances for carbon monoxide is covered in an optional module and businesses should ensure engineers are trained and assessed in this module if they are to carry out such work.
HSE is also a panel member on the industry-led approving committee of metering / ESP Natural Gas Training specification.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the representatives of the fuel industry on the potential merits of awareness campaigns on the dangers of (a) carbon monoxide poisoning and (b) other fuel related dangers.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue. Whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the government lead on domestic gas safety, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for public health; including to advise and raise public awareness of CO. HSE, UKHSA and others contribute to the work of the Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which publishes an Annual Report.
The Gas Safe Register (GSR) run the approved registration scheme for gas engineers on behalf of HSE and, as part of their remit, have responsibility for raising awareness of gas safety and the risks of CO exposure. GSR publish a range of gas safety information and guidance on their website, and regularly run media campaigns to promote key gas safety messages to the general public. This includes promoting and delivering the annual national safety campaign “Gas Safety Week” which has wide ranging coverage.
Further information for gas consumers and landlords relating to domestic gas health and safety is also published on HSE’s website.
Asked by: Geraint Davies (Independent - Swansea West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the fuel industry on publishing research into toxins from the products of combustion from broken appliances.
Answered by Mims Davies - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue. Whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the government lead on domestic gas safety, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for public health; including to advise and raise public awareness of CO. HSE, UKHSA and others contribute to the work of the Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which publishes an Annual Report.
The Gas Safe Register (GSR) run the approved registration scheme for gas engineers on behalf of HSE and, as part of their remit, have responsibility for raising awareness of gas safety and the risks of CO exposure. GSR publish a range of gas safety information and guidance on their website, and regularly run media campaigns to promote key gas safety messages to the general public. This includes promoting and delivering the annual national safety campaign “Gas Safety Week” which has wide ranging coverage.
Further information for gas consumers and landlords relating to domestic gas health and safety is also published on HSE’s website.
Asked by: Mary Kelly Foy (Labour - City of Durham)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to ensure properties in the private student rental sector meet a habitable standard.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government has taken significant action over the past decade to protect all tenants, including students. We have improved standards by requiring landlords to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as conduct electrical safety checks.
The Government published a White Paper on 16 June 2022 setting out our plans to reform the private rented sector.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what protections his Department has implemented for students in the private renting market.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government has taken significant action over the past decade to protect all tenants, including students. This includes capping tenancy deposits at five weeks' rent and preventing landlords and agents from charging undue or excess letting fees. We have also improved standards by requiring landlords to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as conduct electrical safety checks.
The Government published a White Paper on 16 June 2022 setting out our plans to reform the private rented sector and level up housing across the country. Our reforms will provide more secure and high-quality homes and create a stable rental market for landlords to remain and invest. We know that some landlords are concerned about how the new tenancy system will work for students, and we are considering how we can best support the student lettings market.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that students are not exploited in the private renting market.
Answered by Felicity Buchan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government has taken significant action over the past decade to protect all tenants, including students. This includes capping tenancy deposits at five weeks' rent and preventing landlords and agents from charging undue or excess letting fees. We have also improved standards by requiring landlords to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as conduct electrical safety checks.
The Government published a White Paper on 16 June 2022 setting out our plans to reform the private rented sector and level up housing across the country. Our reforms will provide more secure and high-quality homes and create a stable rental market for landlords to remain and invest. We know that some landlords are concerned about how the new tenancy system will work for students, and we are considering how we can best support the student lettings market.
Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer from Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist on 20 September (HL2103), what is the timetable for the review of the regulations introduced on 1 October to extend requirements for carbon monoxide alarms.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The regulations, set out that it is the intention of the Government to publish a report on the conclusions of the first review of The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 by 1st October 2027, five years after the regulations have commenced. In the meantime, we continue to monitor to feedback from the social housing sector on how these regulations are being received and embedded into the sector. In light of the feedback already received, we plan to update the current guidance for tenants, landlords and local authorities.
Asked by: Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise their regulations on carbon monoxide alarms in accommodation to reflect the safety warning issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards on 15 August on the use of gas grills.
Answered by Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist
The Government takes the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in rented accommodation very seriously. For this reason, we have introduced legislation which comes into force on 1 October 2022 significantly to extend requirements for carbon monoxide alarms, so that they are required in all private and socially rented homes in rooms with fixed combustion appliances and where new fixed combustion appliances are installed in any home.
Consideration was given during the consultation process to including gas cookers (which would include the use of gas grills) in this legislation. The evidence available at the time of consultation showed that gas cookers are responsible for fewer incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning than gas boilers and that, as such, the inclusion of gas cookers within the regulations would be disproportionate. This view was broadly reflected in the responses to the consultation.
Given the imminent commencement of the regulations, there are no current plans to revise the 1 October 2022 regulations. The regulations are, however, subject to review in the future, and we may re-consider the case for inclusion of gas cookers, or other appliances, if required.