POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE UK
UK
Welsh MPs face off on work and pensions
Stephen Crabb became work and pensions secretary following the dramatic resignation of Iain Duncan Smith.
The former Welsh secretary and Preseli Pembrokeshire MP was brought up in a council house after his mother separated from his violent father. ‘I saw for myself my mother going from being wholly dependent on welfare – somebody in crisis, raising three boys on her own in council housing, making that journey – first working four or five hours a week, and that was her stepping stone back into a life of full economic independence,’ he said last year.
Crabb’s first task was to find a solution to the crisis triggered by Budget plans to cut benefits for disabled people.
The appointment means that both sides of the debate on social security and welfare reform are led by Welsh MPs. Facing Crabb on the opposition benches at Westminster is shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith, Labour MP for Pontypridd.
Alun Cairns, Conservative MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, was appointed as the new secretary of state for Wales.
Treasury doubles estimate of LHA cap impact
Apart from the cut in Severn Bridge tolls, the good news for Wales in George Osborne’s March Budget was that there were no new cuts in housing benefit.
However, the detail in the background documents revealed that the Treasury now expects to save almost twice as much as it forecast from the LHA cap on housing benefit for social tenants.
At the time of the Spending Review in November, the Treasury said it would save £515 million from the measure between 2016/17 and 2019/20. The new estimate is £990 million.
This is despite a one-year deferral of the cap on new tenancies in supported housing pending a government evidence review of the impact. It seems a pretty fair indication that the government badly under-estimated the impact of the measure on supported and sheltered housing as well as mainstream social housing.
A survey by Community Housing Cymru (see p39) estimates that the rents on more than three-quarters of tenancies in specified accommodation and one in three tenancies in social housing are higher than the local LHA rate.
Single people under 35 in social housing have their housing benefit restricted to the shared room rate on any new or renewed tenancies signed from April.
ENGLAND
Survey says decline in home ownership halted
Ministers were quick to hail figures showing that 2014/15 was the first year since 2003 when the home ownership rate in England did not fall.
The English Housing Survey also showed that private renting fell for the first time since 1999, with even young people aged 25-34 seeing a turnaround in their ownership prospects.
Housing minister Brandon Lewis hailed the figures as evidence that the government was ‘turning round the housing market’ with policies like Help to Buy.
However, critics pointed out that the proportion of people buying with a mortgage continued to fall in 20114/15.
And they argued that the apparent decline could reflect a glitch in the figures following a steep rise in private renting the previous year.
SCOTLAND
Private renting reform
Private renters will get simpler tenancies offering greater stability and security under a new Bill that passed the Scottish Parliament in March. The Scottish Government says key measures in the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill will mean:
- Improved security for tenants so that they cannot be asked to leave their home simply because the tenancy agreement has reached its end date
- Comprehensive and robust repossession grounds enabling landlords to regain possession of their property in reasonable circumstances
- The opportunity for local authorities to implement rent caps in areas where there are excessive rent increases
- A more streamlined system with no confusing pre-tenancy notices and easier-to-understand model tenancy agreement.
Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: ‘We are committed to achieving a sustainable, long-term solution to addressing housing need and affordability. Both landlords and tenants have told us this new law will mean a modern and fit-for-purpose sector. Its range of measures will ensure the sector is better managed, simplified and successful for all in the private rented sector. I am delighted that this Bill has now passed with cross party support.’
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: ‘This Bill will mean private tenants can feel much more secure about creating a home for themselves, particularly with the end of so-called “no fault eviction”.’
NORTHERN IRELAND
Bill introduces mandatory licensing for HMOs
The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a Bill giving better protection to tenants in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
The Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Bill will introduce a new mandatory licensing regime requiring landlords to meet important quality and safety standards before an HMO is let. This licensing regime will also be linked to planning, ensuring that the concentration of HMOs is managed.
Licensing and regulation will be carried out by local authorities. The mandatory licensing scheme builds on good practice in other parts of the UK.
Social development minister Lord Morrow said: ‘This new regulatory approach will ensure that landlords and managing agents renting out properties have a legal responsibility to the tenants to keep flats and houses safe and well maintained.’
Current regulation in Northern Ireland relies on criminal offences. The new Bill includes the use of fixed penalties of up to £5,000 for non- compliance with the licensing regime. The maximum fine for failing to have a license is £20,000.
WELSH GOVERNMENT
Cardiff City Deal could open door for more
First Minister Carwyn Jones hailed an agreement on a £1.2 billion City Deal for the Cardiff Capital Region as a ‘huge economic boost’.
The City Deal brings together ten local authorities and includes more than £500 million of Welsh Government support towards improving transport infrastructure.
Chancellor George Osborne confirmed the UK Government’s £500 million contribution to the deal’s investment fund. This includes support for electrification of the Valley Line railways, a key part of the Metro project.
Carwyn Jones said: ‘Central to the success of a City Deal is the close collaboration and partnership between all ten local authorities. It is a great example of what can be achieved by coming together for the greater good of our Capital region.’
He added that the agreement would open the door to further deals for Wales. In the Budget George Osborne said the UK Government would open discussions with Welsh Government and local partners on a potential City Deal for Swansea Bay City Region
and a growth deal for north Wales to strengthen its economy and make the most of its connection with the so-called Northern Powerhouse in England.
Evaluation runs rule over Help to Buy
A Welsh Government evaluation of Help to Buy – Wales has concluded that the equity loan scheme has had positive impacts.
The evaluation found that 75 per cent of those helped were first-time buyers. Some 89 per cent of those surveyed said the scheme influenced them in buying a property, including 84 per cent of repeat buyers who reported they had bought a larger or more expensive home because of the scheme.
Researchers said this evidence showed additionality in terms of the purchasing of a greater quantity of new properties than would have occurred without the scheme.
However, there was also some evidence that it is now more difficult to sell smaller ‘starter homes’ and feedback suggested room for improvement in the provision of the Welsh speaking service and a need for further promotion to buyers, developers and solicitors.
Evaluation runs rule over Help to Buy
A Welsh Government evaluation of Help to Buy – Wales has concluded that the equity loan scheme has had positive impacts.
The evaluation found that 75 per cent of those helped were first-time buyers. Some 89 per cent of those surveyed said the scheme influenced them in buying a property, including 84 per cent of repeat buyers who reported they had bought a larger or more expensive home because of the scheme.
Researchers said this evidence showed additionality in terms of the purchasing of a greater quantity of new properties than would have occurred without the scheme.
However, there was also some evidence that it is now more difficult to sell smaller ‘starter homes’ and feedback suggested room for improvement in the provision of the Welsh speaking service and a need for further promotion to buyers, developers and solicitors.
The second phase of Help to Buy – Wales, running until 2021, was announced in December.
Consultations
- Proposals Relating to the Statement of Public Participation for the National Development Framework
gov.wales/consultations/planning/ proposals-relating-to-the-statement-of-public-participation-for-the-national-development-framework/?lang=en – closing date April 25
- Building regulations Sustainability review
gov.wales/consultations/planning/building-regulations-sustainability-review/?lang=en – closing date May 24
WALES
Dementia award for care home
Staff at Gwalia and Seren’s Cwmgelli Lodge have credited the people of Blackwood for their help in ensuring the flagship dementia facility secured the Dementia Friendly Community status.
Wales’ first care home for younger people with dementia was developed by Seren in partnership with Gwalia and has officially been recognised as a Dementia Friendly Community by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The home provides those people with early onset dementia (aged over 50) with a real alternative to a traditional older person’s care home.
To receive the award Cwmgelli Lodge had to show what steps they have taken to raise awareness and promote understanding of dementia within the community. They were asked to show how they gave those with dementia a voice and help to identify what is working and what needs to be improved.
Cwmgelli Lodge care manager Carole Rees-Williams said: ‘Our neighbours have been brilliant. They have been great supporters from the very beginning. They’ve supported us at open days and local awareness initiatives and more importantly undertook dementia training to gain a greater understanding of the challenges that face our residents on a daily basis.’
Pictured left to right are Kerry Phelps from the Alzheimer’s Society, Carole Rees-Williams and Joanna Jordan, director of mental health, NHS Governance and Corporate Services.
Supported homes help tenants live independently
A new supported housing scheme in Harlech is making a real difference to individuals with learning disabilities who are finding their independence for the very first time. Pant yr Eithin, Harlech, a new supported housing scheme developed by Grwp Cynefin on a former care home site, is helping tenants live independently with arm’s length support at hand.
The development of six one- bedroom bungalows, built to the requirements of ‘Lifetime Homes’ are specially adapted for adults with a learning disability.
‘This is an innovative concept, and we’re really pleased to see tenants are settling in well into their specially designed homes. We’re delighted to be at the fore of developing this scheme in Harlech,’ explained Walis George, chief executive of Grwp Cynefin.
Working in collaboration with Grwˆp Cynefin on the 13-property site are Gwynedd Council, the Gwynedd Rural Housing Enabler and Harlech Community Council. In addition to the seven purpose-built homes for adults with a learning disability, the new development also provides six affordable homes for local families.
PUBLICATIONS
10 TO LOOK OUT FOR
1) UK Housing Review 2016
Chartered Institute of Housing, March 2016
Available from cih.org and also see www.york.ac.uk/res/ukhr/
2) The Uneven Impact of Welfare Reform: The financial losses to places and people
Sheffield Hallam University, March 2016
www.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/welfare-reform-2016_1.pdf
3) Supporting People Data Linking Feasibility Study
Welsh Government, March 2016
gov.wales/statistics-and-research/supporting-people-data-linking-feasibility-study/?lang=en
4) Highly Valued, Hard to Value: Towards an integrated measurement of real estate development
Trowers & Hamlins, March 2016
www.trowers.com/resources/thoughtleadership/highlyvalued
5) Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations, December 2015
ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/31/54
6) How Does Housing Affect Work Incentives for People in Poverty?
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, February 2016
www.jrf.org.uk/report/how-does-housing-affect-work-incentives-people-poverty
7) Childcare Policy Options for Wales
Public Policy Institute for Wales, February 2016
ppiw.org.uk/ppiw-report-publication-childcare-policy-options-for-wales/
8) Uneven City Growth: Tackling city decline
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, February 2016
www.jrf.org.uk/report/uneven-growth-tackling-city-decline
9 Closing the Gap: Creating a framework for tackling the disability employment gap in the UK
Social Market Foundation, February 2016
smf.co.uk/publications/disability-employment-gap/
10) Home Improvements: A social justice approach to housing policy
Centre for Social Justice, February 2016