Written questions by Badenoch.

Pursuant to the answer of 30 August 2024 to Question 1617 on Energy Performance Certificates: Rented Housing and with reference to his Department's press release entitled Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills, published on 23 September 2024, what account the requirement to improve properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030 will take of changes to how Energy Performance Certificates are calculated.

The Government has announced its intention to consult by the end of the year on implementing a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band C or equivalent in the domestic private and social rented sectors by 2030. Government will also shortly set out a consultation with proposals for improvements to Energy Performance Certificates to make them more accurate and reliable, which will be reflected in the consultations on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has received representations on the potential effect of proposed private renters legislation on the student accommodation market, and what steps her Department has taken to support that market.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces a new mandatory ground which will allow landlords renting Houses of Multiple Occupation to full time students to seek possession ahead of each new academic year, facilitating the ongoing yearly cycle of short-term student tenancies while ensuring students can benefit from the increased security and flexibility our reforms will create. The department has engaged with a range of stakeholders in the student accommodation market and will continue to do so.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 28 March 2024 to Question 19849 on Private Rented Housing: Registration, whether her Department the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service have a joint plan for improvements to the county court possession process.

My department is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to ensure that the county courts are ready for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of higher Section 106 affordable housing quotas on (a) the sale price of non-subsidised new build private sector homes in the same development and (b) overall house prices.

As part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, the Government is seeking views on implementing golden rules to ensure development in the Green Belt is in the public interest.These rules include a target of 50% affordable housing on land released from the Green Belt for residential development. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to issue hardship tests in the private rented sector before landlords can evict tenants.

There are currently no plans to introduce hardship tests relating to eviction of tenants, outside of the existing ’undue hardship’ test in the Housing Act 1988.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2024, to Question 3830, on Development Plans: Greater London, if she will place in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of the minutes for the meeting.

The Government does not intend to place a copy of the minutes of the Deputy Prime Minister’s July meeting with the Mayor of London in the House of Commons library as the discussions are considered confidential.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of requiring landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to a EPC C rating by 2030 on the finances of (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations.

The Government is committed to working with social housing providers to ensure that homes are safe, decent, warm and free from damp and mould. We have committed to bringing forward the regulations necessary to introduce Awaab’s Law in the Social Rented Sector this Autumn, and to consulting on and implementing a new Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. We will set out the costs and impacts of the relevant requirements alongside each consultation.The Government’s Warm Homes Plan offers grants and low interest loans which support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other improvements. Social landlords are responsible for improvements to their properties to ensure they meet the required standards.As we set out in July, details of future government investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forwards at the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 3824, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flags, whether she plans to amend the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 on flag flying.

The Government has no current plans to amend the Regulations in question.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposals for (a) higher quality standards, (b) cladding removal, (c) decarbonisation and energy efficiency requirements in the social housing sector on the financial capacity of housing associations to (i) build new social homes and (ii) purchase affordable homes from private developers.

The Government is committed to working with social housing providers to ensure that homes are safe, decent, warm and free from damp and mould. We have committed to bringing forward the regulations necessary to introduce Awaab’s Law in the Social Rented Sector this Autumn, and to consulting on and implementing a new Decent Homes Standard and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. We will set out the costs and impacts of the relevant requirements alongside each consultation.The Government’s Warm Homes Plan offers grants and low interest loans which support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other improvements. Social landlords are responsible for improvements to their properties to ensure they meet the required standards.As we set out in July, details of future government investment in social and affordable housing will be brought forwards at the Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2024 to Question 4681 on Public Houses, what steps her Department is taking to help support community pubs.

Community pubs are a fantastic example of how community ownership can help keep local institutions alive and thriving. Our pubs are already protected by the planning system, and we want to further support community pubs with the introduction of Community Right to Buy through the English Devolution Bill. This will give communities the power to buy valued community assets, such as their local pub, if they go up for sale.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 23 September 2024, to Question 2981, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Civil Servants, if she will list the (a) Recruitment Principles exception and (b) job title of the position for each of the appointments made without open and fair competition from 4 July 2024 to date.

MHCLG made 47 appointments by exception to fair, open and merit-based recruitment principles from 1 July to 31 September 2024.All appointments were at grades below the Senior Civil Service. We are unable to break this down further (ie grade level) as the numbers are too small to disclose.ExceptionDescriptionNumber of appointments between 1st July – 31st September 2024Exception 1Temporary appointments40Exception 2Government employment programmes5Exception 3Secondments2The department publishes a senior and junior organogram biannually setting out job titles and salaries – Organogram of Staff Roles & Salaries - data.gov.uk.There are clear rules governing recruitment and appointment of civil service roles, which are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. It is the longstanding convention of government under successive administrations that we do not comment on matters relating to individual staff.

Communities and Local Government, how much has been spent on refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department since 4 July 2024, broken down by (a) furniture, (b) fixtures, (c) fittings and (d) shoe racks.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9072 on 3 December 2024.