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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they have taken in response to the Homes and Communities Agency's decision to downgrade Circle Housing Group's governance rating from G1 to G3 following its failure to manage properly its Repair and Maintenance Contract with the Kier Group.

The Social Housing Regulator has a clear regulatory framework which it used in this case. As is normal practice the Social Housing Regulator is working closely with Circle as it continues to recover its repair service and improves its governance. The Regulator currently has sufficient assurance of Circle’s intention to address the issues and its progress in doing so, such that the Regulator considers it does not need to apply enforcement powers at this point. The Regulator will of course continue to examine new information that comes to light.