This briefing paper explains the duty on private landlords to protect tenants’ deposits and summarises how the schemes operate. The Government has legislated to cap security deposits in England and is considering whether improvements can be made to the tenancy deposit protection process to benefit both tenants and landlords.
The Planning for the Future white paper published in August 2020, setting out the Government's proposals for "once in a generation" reform of England's planning system, has proved controversial. This briefing from the House of Commons Library examines those proposals and the other planning changes already made during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A key focus of housing policy in recent years has been on the overall supply of housing. There is broad consensus on the need to address the long-term under-supply of housing and various measures have been introduced to stimulate housebuilding. While supporting increases in supply, commentators highlight the need to deliver housing that is genuinely affordable to improve living standards and “loosen the grip of poverty.” This paper considers the case for social rented housing; barriers to its development; and prospects for a step-change in supply. It also provides a statistical picture of trends in social housing supply over time and geographically (including total stock, new supply, and sales and demolitions).
Research Briefing
This paper considers how English local authorities deal with private tenants who have been served with a section 21 notice and are about to become homeless. A common response has been to tell tenants in this position to remain in situ until a court order/bailiff’s warrant is obtained. The paper considers changes introduced by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 with effect from 3 April 2018.
Research Briefing
Spot oil prices were just over $40 per barrel in mid June 2020. The crashed after the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown led to a dramatic cut in demand. Prices fell from almost $70 a barrel in early January to below $20 per barrel in late April 2020. Oil prices peaked in July 2008 at almost $150 per barrel and were in the $100-125 range for much of 2011 to early 2014.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper provides background information on the increase in the number of homeless households placed in temporary accommodation by English local authorities and outlines various initiatives and issues associated with the increased use of temporary accommodation. The most recent statistics were published in March 2020 and cover the period July to September 2019.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper provides statistics on statutory homelessness in England and explains local authorities' duties to assist homeless households. The paper includes an overview of, and comment on, Government policy in this area. The most recent statistical release covers the period between July and September 2019.
Research Briefing
Certain changes of use can be done without planning permission, using what are known as permitted development rights (PDRs). This briefing explains use classes and PDRs, examines recent changes and proposals for further change and looks in depth at the controversy surrounding the PDR for change of use from office to residential accommodation.
Research Briefing
The 2019 count in England recorded 4,266 rough sleepers, this represents a fall of 9% on 2018 but an increase of 141% on the 2010 count (1,768). This briefing paper provides background information on the causes of rough sleeping and local authorities' duties. The paper covers the Government's approach to meeting its ambition of ending rough sleeping by the end of the current Parliament. A separate paper, Coronavirus: Housing support, covers specific measures in place to assist rough sleepers during the pandemic.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper explains the current statutory overcrowding standard in England, efforts to update the standard, and Government approaches to tackling the problem.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper provides data on the gender, age, ethnicity and educational backgrounds of Members of Parliament elected at the 2019 General Election and how this has changed over time.
Debate Pack
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 2.30pm on Wednesday 17 March 2020 on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and the green belt. The debate will be opened by James Daly MP.
Research Briefing
A population census takes place in the UK every ten years, and preparations for the 2021 census are underway. This briefing paper explains the proposals for the census in England and Wales.
Insight
The Government’s rough sleeping statistics received a lot of attention when they were published in February this year.
Research Briefing
This briefing paper considers key trends in housing supply in the UK and goes on to focus on some of the key barriers and potential solutions to increasing supply in England. It summarises proposals set out in the Housing White Paper published in February 2017 and has been updated to take account of subsequent developments, including the new Government's commitment to increase housing supply.
Debate Pack
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall at 2.30pm on Tuesday 3 March 2020 on housing and planning. The debate will be opened by Neil O'Brien MP.
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