Rent setting: social housing (England)
This paper explains policy developments in relation to setting social housing rent levels in England since 2002. For five years from April 2020 rent increases are based on the Consumer Price Index +1%.

This briefing paper provides an overview of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) for home adaptations and plans to improve how the system works. It focuses on England but includes details of the systems in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Disabled facilities grants for home adaptations (603 KB , PDF)
Mandatory DFGs are available from local authorities in England and Wales and the Housing Executive in Northern Ireland. They are issued subject to a means test and are available for essential adaptations to give disabled people better freedom of movement into and around their homes, and to give access to essential facilities within the home.
Funding in England is channelled into the Better Care Fund (BCF) which consists of pooled resources from a number sources, including NHS England. One of the aims of the BCF is to achieve improved integration of care and support services. Central government funding for DFGs in England is £573 million in 2021-22.
Research into DFGs has highlighted pressures around funding compared to levels of need for adaptation works. This can translate into long waits for adaptations. The 2019-20 English Housing Survey report on home adaptations recorded 53% (1 million) households who do not have all the adaptations they need, an increase from 45% in 2014-15.
An external review of DFGs commissioned by the Government which reported in December 2018 identified several challenges for DFGs, including:
The Government’s National Disability Strategy (July 2021) says that, following the 2018 review, new guidance for local authorities in England will be published on the effective delivery of DFGs during 2021. The aim is to accelerate delivery of home adaptations in England and Wales “by improving local delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant.”
A contributing factor to growing demand for adaptations is identified as the lack of a requirement to build new homes to lifetime home standards. This can reduce the need for future adaptation work.
The Government’s National Disability Strategy (July 2021) records an increase in the proportion of homes in England developed “with key accessible features” from 5% in 2009 to 9% in 2018. The Strategy includes a commitment to take “immediate steps” to:
A response to the consultation on raising accessibility standards for new homes, which closed in December 2020, will be issued by December 2021.
Disabled facilities grants for home adaptations (603 KB , PDF)
This paper explains policy developments in relation to setting social housing rent levels in England since 2002. For five years from April 2020 rent increases are based on the Consumer Price Index +1%.
Commons Library publications on the rising cost of living in the UK, including cause of inflation, the effect on households, and Government support.
This briefing answers Frequently Asked Questions about parking policy in England, including council-controlled parking, parking on private land, and parking for disabled people.