Housing Archives

In Focus

Coronavirus: Ban on residential evictions and seizure of goods

Monday, 07 December, 2020

Following the introduction of a second national lockdown in England, the Government introduced a ban on evictions against residential tenants and restrictions on the seizure of goods inside someone’s home by bailiffs. The Government stated these measures were necessary because of the high risk of Covid-19 transmission and the difficulty in accessing public services when pressure on the NHS and local authorities was most acute. The restrictions will be in place over the mid-winter period.
- In Focus
- Coronavirus
- Health
- Housing
In Focus

Covid-19: Winter rough sleeping plan

Monday, 23 November, 2020

Rough sleepers have been identified as an at-risk group who are vulnerable to contracting and spreading Covid-19. The Government has launched several schemes to support local authorities and their partners to provide covid-secure accommodation to those sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough. In November 2020, the Government launched the Protect programme, which provides targeted funding throughout the winter to support areas with high numbers of rough sleepers.
In Focus

Changes to the planning system in England: Permitted development rights and use classes

Friday, 23 October, 2020

In August and September 2020, the Government made several changes to the planning system in England. It introduced secondary legislation creating new permitted development rights and making changes to use classes. Five of these statutory instruments are being debated in the House of Lords on 27 October 2020. This article provides a summary of these instruments and the scrutiny they have received so far in Parliament.
In Focus

Coronavirus: Motion to annul rules on eviction court cases

Monday, 21 September, 2020

The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 4) (Coronavirus) Rules 2020 make arrangements for how eviction court cases, which were temporarily suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, will proceed when the suspension is lifted on 21 September 2020. On 23 September 2020, the House of Lords is due to debate a motion to annul the rules.
- In Focus
- Coronavirus
- Housing
- Justice
Research Briefing

Fire Safety Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Tuesday, 15 September, 2020

The Fire Safety Bill is a government bill, and forms part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire. It seeks to clarify the scope of the Fire Safety Order 2005, specifically to ensure that the responsible person or duty-holder for multi-occupied, residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fire for the structure and external walls of the building, including cladding, balconies and windows; and for entrance doors to individual flats that open into common parts.
In Focus

Stamp Duty Land Tax (Temporary Relief) Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Wednesday, 15 July, 2020

In July 2020, as part of its economic response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government announced an immediate cut to stamp duty on residential properties in England and Northern Ireland until 31 March 2021. This article examines the bill which would provide for this change.
- In Focus
- Coronavirus
- Economy
- Housing
Research Briefing

Business and Planning Bill: Briefing for Lords Stages

Thursday, 02 July, 2020

The Government’s Business and Planning Bill is intended to help the economy recovery from the effects the Covid-19 outbreak.
In Focus

Home insulation and the net zero target

Wednesday, 17 June, 2020

Insulating homes decreases the amount of fuel needed to heat them, reducing carbon emissions. Increasing the number of insulation measures installed is necessary if the UK is to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This article looks at the link between carbon emissions and insulation, and what the Government is doing to increase insulation levels.
- In Focus
- Energy
- Housing
Research Briefing

Homelessness and Covid-19: Next Steps

Thursday, 07 May, 2020

The Government has recently announced plans to support rough sleepers during and after the pandemic, including a specialist taskforce. Various charities have also published recommendations for preventing a spike in homelessness once the ‘lockdown’ ends.
In Focus

Decriminalising rough sleeping and begging: Calls for repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824

Friday, 17 April, 2020

The Vagrancy Act 1824 criminalises rough sleeping and begging, subject to certain conditions. Some have campaigned for the Act to be repealed and the Government has committed to reviewing the legislation. This article provides details on some of the criticisms of the legislation. It also summarises the Government's stance on this.
- In Focus
- Housing
In Focus

Covid-19 and rough sleeping: What is the Government doing?

Tuesday, 07 April, 2020
Research Briefing

Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages

Wednesday, 29 January, 2020

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 February 2020.
Research Briefing

Queen’s Speech January 2020: Debate in the House of Lords Day 3

Friday, 03 January, 2020

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 3 of the Lords debate on the December 2019 Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: economic affairs, business and public services
Research Briefing

World Cities Day, 31 October 2019

Tuesday, 22 October, 2019

This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information to mark the upcoming World Cities Day on 31 October 2019.
Research Briefing

Queen’s Speech: Debate in the House of Lords Day 4

Friday, 11 October, 2019

This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 4 of the Lords debate on the Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: home affairs, justice, local government, devolved affairs and constitutional affairs.
- Research Briefing
- Brexit & the EU
- Business
- Communities
- Crime
- Defence
- Devolution
- Elections
- Housing
- Immigration
- Justice
- Security

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