Social Housing Bill [HL]

Lord Lansley Excerpts

Committee stage
Monday 15th June 2026 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[Lord Lansley]

51: After Clause 11, insert the following new Clause—
“Large-scale housing stock transfersAfter section 92K of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (fundamental objectives) insert—“92KA Code of Guidance on large-scale housing stock transfers In pursuance of the objective in section 92K(2)(b), the regulator may issue a Code of Guidance on large-scale housing stock transfers, to which registered providers must have regard.””

[Lord Lansley (Con)]

In my view, this group is focused on what is in some ways the most important question, which is not just how we protect the public housing stock, but how we increase the availability of social homes, particularly social homes for rent. I think pretty much every noble Lord here was present at Second Reading, and they will recall that I spoke to that and, in particular, cited a report I had read from L&G about the capacity for large-scale stock transfer schemes from housing associations into partnership providers remaining within the regulated registered provider regime, but combining housing association stock with institutional investment would have the capacity to bring the latent value of that housing stock into play and enable housing associations, through the substantial receipts that they would generate, to re-enter the market in building more social homes.

--- Later in debate ---

For all the reasons I have set out, while I recognise the shared ambition behind these amendments to support delivery of more social housing, I do not consider they are necessary or proportionate. Our focus is on giving councils, providers and local leaders the confidence and flexibility to deliver new supply without adding further statutory duties or reporting burdens where existing frameworks already provide the right levers. I therefore ask noble Lords not to press their amendments.

[Lord Lansley (Con)]

I think we are most grateful to the Minister for that very positive response, and I am personally very grateful for that very encouraging response to Amendment 51. It would be great to finish day 1’s proceedings with some violent agreement that we all want to build more social homes. I beg leave to withdraw Amendment 51.

Amendment 51 withdrawn.