Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) guidance and (b) public awareness campaigns his Department has issued on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning; and if he will make a statement.

The Government’s approach to reducing risks from carbon monoxide poisoning covers all tenures and locations including communities not on the gas distribution grid.

A Cross-Government Group exists to ensure a joined–up approach across departments, the devolved administrations and non-departmental bodies. MHCLG is a member of this group. Each year, the group publishes a report with a summary of activities. The latest report can be seen at www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/cross-government-group.htm

In June 2018, MHCLG published a set of ‘how to’ guides for tenants, landlords and leaseholders to help ensure that a rented property is safe to live in. This includes guidance about carbon monoxide alarms.

MHCLG is also carrying out a review to establish whether carbon monoxide alarm requirements, currently limited to solid fuel burning appliances in the private rented sector, should be extended to social housing and to other fuel-burning appliances, including mains gas and liquefied petroleum gas and oil where mains gas is not available. The findings of this review are being considered alongside responses to the Social Housing Green Paper.