Sixth Report - Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: MHCLG’s response to Covid-19

Select Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee HC 1329 31 March 2021
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 26 items (18 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 26 of 26 classified)
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 3
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 4
Government response
Protecting the homeless and the private rented sector: government response to the Select Committee report · published 25 May 2021
Read the government response ↗ Response on the tracker
Clear

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 results
2 Recommendation Rejected
We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating that they can...
Recommendation
We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating that they can and should use their legal powers under the Local Government Act 1972 and NHS Act 2006 to find accommodation for those otherwise ineligible for support … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejects issuing specific guidance, stating it previously clarified that rules regarding No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) have not changed. Local authorities must continue to use their own judgement within legal powers, and it remains a matter for them to decide based on local circumstances.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Rejected
We do not accept the Government’s reasoning for why it cannot produce figures on the...
Recommendation
We do not accept the Government’s reasoning for why it cannot produce figures on the number of people subject to the no recourse to public funds condition. The cost and administrative burden of doing so are not sufficient arguments, given … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to collect and publish data on the number of people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) and those estimated to be homeless, stating it is not possible to provide an accurate figure due to various complexities in data collection.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation Rejected
Para 38
We call on the Government to return to the spirit of the early pandemic and...
Recommendation
We call on the Government to return to the spirit of the early pandemic and re- commit to Everyone In. This requires providing legal clarity for local authorities. We recommend the Government immediately issues clear guidance to local authorities stating … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the call to re-commit to 'Everyone In' and issue new clear guidance to local authorities, stating its position remains unchanged and local authorities must continue to use their own judgment regarding support for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). It reiterated that existing homelessness funding can be used within the law.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Recommendation Rejected
The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the...
Recommendation
The Government should review its decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance rates by maintaining the 30th percentile in cash terms only, and instead keep rates indexed at the 30th percentile long-term. This will help households across England to afford their … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to review its decision on freezing Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates by maintaining them at the 30th percentile in cash terms, instead reaffirming its commitment to keeping rates at current cash levels for 2021-22.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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