Written questions by Murphy.

Communities and Local Government, what mechanisms his Department uses to monitor (a) the impact of private rented sector reforms on the availability of housing for vulnerable people and (b) local housing authorities' assessment of vulnerability and priority need among homelessness applicants with severe mental health conditions.

My Department collects data on the private rented sector through the English Housing Survey, which is published annually and can be found on gov.uk here, and through ongoing longitudinal survey of private tenants. My Department also publishes data showing the number of households owed a prevention or relief duty where there are support needs, including the number who have support needs due to a history of mental health problems. This data can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support housing associations with increases in costs for (a) materials, (b) staffing and (c) regulatory compliance.

The government recognises that Registered Providers need support to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply. Between 30 October 2024 and 23 December 2024, the government consulted on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement, to give Registered Providers the certainty they need to invest in new social and affordable housing. Details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme will be set out at the Spending Review. The Government intends to publish a long-term housing strategy later this year.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the long-term financial sustainability of housing associations as part of the (a) Spending Review and (b) long-term housing strategy.

The government recognises that Registered Providers need support to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply. Between 30 October 2024 and 23 December 2024, the government consulted on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement, to give Registered Providers the certainty they need to invest in new social and affordable housing. Details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme will be set out at the Spending Review. The Government intends to publish a long-term housing strategy later this year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the planning system in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the protection of chalk streams.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45278 on 30 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to increase the level of funding for social rent homes at the spending review.

The government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme at the Spending Review. This new investment will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for social rent.

Communities and Local Government, whether the forthcoming Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will include provisions to enable multi-building developments to apply for the right to manage as a single entity.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press notice entitled Help to save households money and deliver cleaner heat to homes, published on 21 November 2024, when her Department will announce a date for the removal of the one-meter rule which requires planning permission to install heat pumps in England.

Further announcements on permitted development rights for air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points will be made in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for bringing forward proposals for a Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill; and what plans she has to consult leaseholders on those proposals.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to implement the 2025 Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024; a government response, including implementation plans, has not yet been issued.Government fully supports the need for low carbon homes and buildings, fit for a net zero future. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and will publish the Government response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take in relation to the regulation of management agents of leasehold properties.

The Government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents. The Government will set out its position on the regulation of letting, managing and estate agents in due course.