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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of people potentially facing eviction notices in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire over the remainder of 2021.

There is no requirement on landlords to notify the Government when they serve notice of their intention to seek possession to their tenant. As such, the Department does not hold data of the number of people facing eviction notices in Slough and Berkshire.

In England, tenants currently benefit from longer notice periods, giving them more time to make alternative arrangements. As of 1 June, until at least 30 September, landlords must give 4 months' notice of their intention to seek possession of a property, except in the most egregious cases.

Government support has also helped to ensure that the vast majority of tenants are up to date with their rent payments. The UK Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support which is available to tenants. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit are in place until the end of September helping private renters to continue paying their rent. Local housing allowance rates have been maintained at their increased level in cash terms in 2021/22, meaning claimants renting in the private rented sector continue to benefit from the significant increase in the local housing allowance rates applied in April 2020. For those who require additional support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) are available. For 2021-22 the Government has made £140 million available in DHP funding, building on the £180 million provided last year.