Asked by: Lee Dillon (Liberal Democrat - Newbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what evidence underpins the current proposal to remove insured tenancy deposit schemes from the reformed tenancy deposit protection system.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The proposed removal of the insured schemes is based on the objective of ensuring that tenant deposits are as safe as possible.
Under the custodial system, money is held by the Tenancy Deposit Protection provider as a neutral third party. Under the insured scheme, there is an inherent power imbalance against tenants given the landlords and letting agents hold the deposit.
The custodial scheme provides tenants with more confidence to challenge deposit deductions and use the Alternative Dispute Resolution service provided.
There is growing evidence that the insured model also carries a higher fraud risk, with incidents of exploiting insured registration being reported. When agents fail to maintain insurance or Client Money Protection cover, reimbursement for losses can also be delayed, leaving tenants exposed.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the supply of transitional accommodation for young people.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation can be found on gov.uk here. As part of this, we sought views on whether the planning system provides appropriate flexibility to support temporary accommodation affordable housing products, such as stepping stone housing, when considering matters such as space standards. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
I also refer the noble Baroness to the answer provided to Question UIN 1861 in the other place on 27 May 2026.
Asked by: Baroness Browning (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what the average waiting time is for the Land Registry to issue a changed Title Deed following the completion of a domestic dwelling sale.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In 2025/26, HM Land Registry completed over 4 million post‑completion applications to update or create titles. Nearly half were completed and returned to the customer within one week (excluding third-party action) with 23% automated and completed within minutes.
If a delay to an application may cause financial, legal or personal problems or put a property sale at risk, it can be expedited free of charge.
Improving speed of service for customers remains HM Land Registry’s main priority. Plans to achieve this are outlined in its published Strategy 25+ and supporting Business Plan 2026+.
HM Land Registry’s processing times are publicly available at: HM Land Registry: processing times - GOV.UK and they also provide information on forward looking estimated time ranges for most applications once they have been submitted: HM Land Registry estimated completion timeframes - GOV.UK.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many Houses in Multiple Occupation licences have been revoked for licence breaches by region in the last five years.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the information requested.
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026, to Question 125733, on Political Parties: Donors, how political parties and regulated donees will be required to verify the revenue statements provided in the cases of donations from small, micro and unlimited companies.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Any revenue statements provided for small, micro and unlimited companies, in the place of publicly available accounts, must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practise. Any revenue for that financial year that cannot be determined must be disregarded.
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his proposals to require candidates to provide identification to nominate, whether this will require the same identification requirements as needed to vote in person at a polling station.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Following Royal Assent for the Representation of the People Bill 2026, the Government will bring forward regulations in due course to set out the detailed provisions.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of redevelopment-related loss of telecommunications sites on the continuity of mobile coverage in urban areas.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department intends to publish any assessment comparing the costs of alternative financing models for infrastructure supporting new towns.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 124681 on Affordable Housing: Vistry Group, if he will list the milestones and delivery targets set by Homes England for the Vistry Group.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124681 on 20 April 2026.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to evaluate the success of their homelessness strategy.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are taking a cross-government approach to delivering the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to oversee delivery of our strategy. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping works across government to maintain collaboration and assure delivery of the commitments in this strategy. The Group will receive quarterly data updates, tracking progress against the targets. We will also publish reports at least every two years that monitor progress on the implementation of measures set out in this strategy, including our national cross-government targets. Our headline targets include: eliminating the illegal use of B&Bs, halving long-term rough sleeping, and increasing prevention and relief rates.
More comprehensive information can be found in Chapter 7 of the National Plan to End Homelessness.