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 has assessed the effect of housing quality on covid-19 infection rates.

Throughout this pandemic, the Department has continually monitored emerging evidence to understand the effect of housing quality and overcrowded households on COVID-19 outcomes, and has carefully considered robust advice from medical advisers and the scientific community to ensure we are taking the right action at the right time.

To support people to stay safe in their homes and self-isolate, we have published a range of guidance, including advice for those living in overcrowded and shared housing, and the responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Where vulnerable tenants are living in overcrowded accommodation, our guidance advises that local authorities may be able to use their enforcement powers to require a landlord to remedy a serious overcrowding hazard.

Work is already underway to address overcrowding and improve housing quality standards, including a two-year review of the Housing, Health and Safety Rating system, which will prioritise work around overcrowding and other health related issues including indoor air quality.

The review of the Decent Homes Standard announced in the Social Housing White Paper also represents the commitment we have made to drive up standards. We expect to publish the first part of the review considering the case for change in Autumn 2021.