Written questions by Asato.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is committed to supporting staff that are experiencing, or going through the aftermath of, domestic violence. MHCLG has a published Domestic Violence policy. Our published policy includes guidance and support for Line Managers and individuals who are confided to about domestic violence issues and signposts to a range of resources and sources of support for colleagues experiencing domestic violence and for managers supporting colleagues. Once available, we will promote the take-up of the training product for managers currently being developed by the Cabinet Office.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to (a) deliver long-term financial sustainability for the supported housing sector and (b) prevent the decommissioning of supported housing schemes.

Commissioning of local housing-related support services is for local authorities. Local authorities are best placed to decide how their funding is spent locally. For 2025-26, the Government has delivered a Settlement that begins to fix the foundations of local government by providing significant investment. The Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. The recent Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29.At the Spending Review, the government also announced £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36. The programme is designed with the flexibility necessary to support a greater diversity of social and affordable supply, including supported housing.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with Homes England on the (a) design and (b) delivery of the 10-year Affordable Homes Programme.

My Department is working closely with both Homes England and the Greater London Authority to finalise the design of the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We will publish a full prospectus in Autumn 2025 and open for bids in the winter.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies of recommendation 4 of the report by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce entitled Our future homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population, published on 26 November 2024.

The government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations in the final report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce and are committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market. We will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has plans to halve the number of non-decent homes in the (a) social and (b) private sector by 2030.

The government will consult this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.The Deputy Prime Minister is part of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, which is aiming to publish a Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025. As part of the development of the strategy, the Taskforce is considering the impacts of living in poor quality housing.People in need may be able to get help for essential furniture from their local council through the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of updating the decent homes standard to ensure that at least 10% of homes for social rent are offered furnished.

The government will consult this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.The Deputy Prime Minister is part of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, which is aiming to publish a Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025. As part of the development of the strategy, the Taskforce is considering the impacts of living in poor quality housing.People in need may be able to get help for essential furniture from their local council through the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had engagement with the Child Poverty Taskforce on (a) furnished tenancies and (b) the potential impact of the decent homes standard on trends in the level of furniture poverty.

The government will consult this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.The Deputy Prime Minister is part of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, which is aiming to publish a Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025. As part of the development of the strategy, the Taskforce is considering the impacts of living in poor quality housing.People in need may be able to get help for essential furniture from their local council through the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of unfurnished homes on (a) prison leavers, (b) people escaping domestic violence and abuse and (c) people that cannot afford to furnish a home.

The Department does not collect data on the number of households living without essential furniture.Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide appropriate support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims who need to flee their homes.Emergency domestic abuse safe accommodation is furnished, and sources of financial support to furnish safe longer-term housing exist if needed.The Accommodation for Ex-Offenders scheme launched in July 2021 assists ex-offenders to access the private rented sector, focusing on supporting them into sustainable accommodation with an expected tenancy of 12 months.All others in need can apply for help in securing essential furniture from their local authority through the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other local services. The social security system includes provision to help eligible people with intermittent furniture expenses that may be difficult to budget for.