Tag: Housing and Communities

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 1 June 2026.

The government’s landmark Social Housing Bill is returning to Parliament for its Second Reading today.

• Landlords get new powers to evict domestic abuse perpetrators from social homes
• Decades of new-build social housing sell-off stopped as Right to Buy rules overhauled and tightened  
• Backed by the government’s £39bn investment in social and affordable housing – the biggest in a generation

Abusers will be evicted from social homes and victims will be able to stay safely in their communities, under a new landmark Social Housing Bill returning to Parliament for its Second Reading today (Monday 1 June).

Under new protections, landlords and courts will be able to evict perpetrators of domestic abuse from social housing – without the victim having to leave first. 

Currently, landlords can only evict a perpetrator after the victim has already left the home, and in joint tenancies, the only option for the victim is to end the tenancy entirely – potentially leaving them homeless.

The Bill also closes a loophole that let abusers serve a Notice to Quit to make victims homeless. Under the proposed new law, a Notice to Quit served by a perpetrator will not end the social housing joint tenancy while court proceedings are ongoing.  

In addition, for joint tenancies, courts will be able to transfer the tenancy into the victim’s sole name, or where staying is not appropriate, require the landlord to provide suitable alternative accommodation where available. 

Last year, around 15,000 households in England were forced to find a new social home because of domestic abuse. This Bill means victims can stay safely in their homes and communities, close to support networks, schools, and work. 

The news follows the swift introduction of the Bill earlier this month, which also includes the biggest overhaul of Right to Buy in a generation to reverse the decline of social housing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“No victim of domestic abuse should face the awful choice between staying in danger or losing their home. This government is putting that right, so perpetrators are forced out and survivors and their children can stay safely in the homes and communities they know and love.

“We’re also fixing the systemic issue of failing to protect and invest in social housing. I will never stand by as much-needed housing is sold off while families do not have a safe place to call home and children are growing up in temporary accommodation.

“This government will stop at nothing to get Britain building, invest in social housing, and restore pride in communities in every part of our country.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

“Victims of domestic abuse have faced an impossible choice – stay in danger or make themselves homeless. This is a moral failure this government is determined to end and these changes are deeds not words that put victims first, give landlords the powers they need, and make sure perpetrators can no longer use housing as a weapon of control. 

“But protecting tenants is only half the picture. We also need more social homes – and this Bill tackles the decades of sell-off that has left over a million families on waiting lists with nowhere to turn. Together, these reforms will make social housing safer, fairer and built to last.”

The Bill also addresses and fixes the long-term decline in social housing. More than two million homes have been sold under the Right to Buy scheme since 1980, with many never replaced, and between 2012 and 2025, around 133,000 council homes were sold against just 51,000 replacements.

Not only has this depleted much-needed stock, but it has also reduced the motivation and confidence of councils to build, and restricted broader investment in council housing. This has depleted supply, undermined councils’ confidence to build and restricted investment – at a time when 1.3 million households are on councils’ waiting lists and more than 175,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.

The Right to Buy scheme provides an important route for social housing tenants to own their own home, many of whom may not otherwise be able to access home ownership, boosting social mobility and opportunity for families across the country.

The Bill rebalances Right to Buy without closing the door on home ownership. Following extensive consultation, reforms will see eligibility rise from three to 10 years, newly built social homes protected for 35 years, hard-to-replace rural homes will be exempt, and discount rules will be updated to reflect the cash discounts cap introduced in November 2024. Councils will gain a stronger right of first refusal to buy back properties – helping recover homes lost to the scheme.

The Bill also strips out outdated and unimplemented requirements from the Housing and Planning Act 2016, including rules forcing councils to sell high-value homes, offer fixed-term tenancies and charge higher rents to higher-income tenants, giving providers the certainty they need to build for the long term. 

These reforms are backed by £39 billion through the 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme – the biggest investment in a generation. Together, they will protect existing social homes and build at the scale the country needs.

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs said:

“Sharing a social home with a perpetrator presents victims and survivors of domestic abuse with an impossible choice. Remaining in their home means facing further abuse but leaving could put them at risk of homelessness and struggling financially. 

“Alongside survivors and campaigners, I have been calling for action to be taken to stop perpetrators from weaponising joint tenancies – and I’m pleased to see that the government has listened. 

“People experiencing domestic abuse need safety and stability in order to recover and rebuild free from harm. This will be an important step towards that for many.”

Head of Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance, Nicki Clarke said:

“The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) welcomes the Government’s tenancy reforms proposed within the Social Housing Bill. These changes represent an important and long overdue step forward, with the potential to transform the lives of many domestic abuse victims.

“Domestic abuse typically takes place in the home and it is where most women are killed. By enabling landlords to safeguard victims and hold the perpetrators of abuse to account, these reforms will enable domestic abuse victims, including children, to achieve safety, stability and long-term housing security. This is essential for all individuals impacted by domestic abuse to rebuild their independence and move forward with lives free from harm.

“We look forward to working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the development and implementation of these measures, and to ensure that the detail of the reforms delivers meaningful, practical outcomes for those affected.”

Head of External Affairs at Women’s Aid, Veronica Oakeshott said:

“Today, the Social Housing Bill has received its second reading, and we are pleased to see that it contains measures to protect some survivors of domestic abuse in joint tenancies, which Women’s Aid, along with sector colleagues, have long campaigned on.

“For too long, survivors have been faced with impossible choices – either staying with their abusers or risking homelessness – all because of outdated practices. The measures introduced in this Bill begin to change that picture by enabling social landlords to transfer a tenancy to a survivor in certain circumstances or, where needed, evict perpetrators and prevent them from unilaterally ending a tenancy. While ultimately we hope the measures will go further to enable more survivors to qualify, this is an important start.”

Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, Kate Henderson said:

“This Bill demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding our social homes for future generations and to strengthening protections for survivors of domestic abuse.

“No one should be forced to lose their home to escape abuse. We strongly welcome new powers to evict perpetrators of domestic abuse from social housing. This will support survivors to remain safely in their homes where that is the right option for them and reduce their risk of homelessness.

“Reforms to Right to Buy are an essential step towards protecting social housing stock. The policy has led to the sale of over two million social homes in its lifetime, severely depleting numbers available for low-income families.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the government to deliver a decade of renewal for social housing and to build the new social homes our country needs.”

Further information

The Social Housing Bill was confirmed in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 and introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2026.

For further details on the full list of measures in the Bill are available here.

The Bill’s Right to Buy reforms build on the steps the government has already taken to date, including returning the maximum Right to Buy cash discounts to the pre-2012 levels, following a review of the impact of the higher discounts on social housing stock.

The government response to the consultation on Reforming the Right to Buy was published in July 2025.

The Right to Buy reforms in this Bill include:

• Extending the minimum period of secure public sector tenancy to be eligible for the scheme from 3 to 10 years
• Reforming the percentage discounts for the scheme, to start at 5% of the property value, increasing by 1% per annum up to a maximum of 15%, subject to the revised cash caps (whichever is lower).
• Exempting newly built social and affordable homes from the scheme for 35 years.
• Exempting rural properties from the scheme, which will include homes in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and areas designated as rural.
• Preventing tenants who have previously benefitted from the Right to Buy from using the scheme again, with exceptions for victims of domestic abuse and in cases of irretrievable relationship breakdown.
• Exempting council homes for market rent from the Right to Buy.
• Extending the period in which, on resale of the property, the council has the right to ask for all, or part, of the Right to Buy discount to be repaid, from 5 to 10 years.
• Extending the right of first refusal, in which a former Right to Buy property when sold must first be offered to the former landlord, from 10 years after the original sale to in perpetuity.
• Allowing the Secretary of State to determine the rules governing the spending of Right to Buy capital receipts through issuing a determination.
• Amending the Right to Acquire scheme for housing association tenants in line with the changes to the Right to Buy, to better align the two schemes.
• Supporting councils with the administration of Right to Buy applications.

The territorial extent of the Bill is England and Wales, with all measures at introduction applying to England only. 

Eligibility for social housing remains unchanged. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing. 

The Bill does not make changes to the private rented sector. From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act gives private renters greater security and stability.

For the social rented sector this Act will be implemented from October 2027.

Under the Bill, a Notice to Quit served by a perpetrator in a social housing joint tenancy will not take effect where a notice under the domestic abuse grounds is in force, or during ongoing court or eviction proceedings, preventing the misuse of such notices to force tenants out of their homes.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 29 May 2026.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed the appointment of Ben Alexander as the new Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board. His appointment is expected to commence on 1 July 2026 and run for a period of four years. In addition, the Minister has confirmed a one-year extension to the terms of two existing Inspectorate board members.

Ben will take over from Trudi Elliott, CBE MRTPI, who is completing her second term as Chair. He will lead the Planning Inspectorate as it continues its vital role in the planning system, supporting timely, fair and proportionate decision‑making on nationally significant infrastructure projects, certain planning applications, local plans and planning appeals.

The Planning Inspectorate plays a central role in delivering the government’s ambitions to speed up planning decisions, thereby unlocking housing growth and economic development, while ensuring communities’ voices are heard and environmental protections upheld.

Alongside Ben’s appointment, the Minister has also confirmed extensions to the terms of two existing board members, Adrian Penfold and Oliver Munn, to September 2027, ensuring continuity and stability as the organisation continues to modernise and respond to the government’s ambitious agenda for planning.

Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:

“I’m delighted to confirm Ben Alexander’s appointment as Chair of the Planning Inspectorate Board.

“Ben has a proven track record of effective leadership, commercial expertise and successfully driving through organisation change in the public sector. He will make an invaluable contribution to ensuring the Inspectorate provides timely, high-quality and cost-effective decisions, recommendations and advice.

“I would also like to thank Trudi Elliott for her outstanding leadership over two terms, and to recognise the continued contribution of board members who have agreed to extend their service.”

Further information

Ben Alexander

Ben is currently Chair of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, an external member of the Cambridge University finance committee and serves as a commercial advisor at the Cabinet Office. He has previously held senior roles in international finance and asset management and brings extensive experience in governance, infrastructure and strategic decision‑making across both the public and private sectors.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 May 2026.

Taxpayers to be protected from financial mismanagement in local government.

Powers will be used to prevent excessive borrowing, risky investments and poor financial decisions in local government.

Announced today (28th May), these powers will be switched on to help the government find early warning signs by tracking every council’s investments, debt, and revenue to spot financial risk before it becomes a crisis, allowing faster action to protect taxpayers. 

How these powers will work and what other measures could be used to find risks will all be considered in a consultation that has launched today.

In recent years, some councils have borrowed excessively in risky financial projects. Woking Borough Council amassed over £2 billion in debt, nearly 100 times its annual budget. And Thurrock Council built up £1.5 billion in debt through borrowing to finance failed investments, though both have curbed excessive borrowing since.

The new metrics will strengthen oversight and transparency and ensure that borrowing across local government is affordable and sustainable.

Local Government Minister Alison McGovern said:

In Woking, Thurrock, and other councils we’ve seen poor investment decisions leaving taxpayers footing a big bill.

We can’t afford to wait until a council is on the brink of collapse to act. That’s why we want to bring in new powers so we can identify the risks and act before its too late.

This is alongside making £78 billion available through the Fair Funding Review to get councils back on their feet through the first multi-year settlement in a decade.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 27 May 2026.

The competition will be open to a single organisation, or group of organisations, that are willing to come together to deliver the project.

• Organisations can now apply for up to £970,000 to help design and build a first-of-its-kind national Muslim War Memorial
• The memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to the sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who served to help deliver peace across the world
• The successful applicant will also be tasked with driving interfaith dialogue and education about the remarkable story of Muslim soldiers

A search for an organisation to design and deliver a national memorial to mark the significant contribution of Muslims to the First and Second World War has been launched today (27th May).

The memorial will stand as a permanent tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of Muslim soldiers who served alongside Britain and its allies – travelling from across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent – to help secure victory and promote lasting peace.

Despite there being an estimated 70,000 war memorials across the UK, including several prominent memorials to the sacrifice and contribution of other faith groups to the war effort throughout the 20th Century, this memorial will be the first prominent national tribute to the Muslim soldiers who selflessly fought and died for Britain.

The memorial will pay tribute to many of these remarkable stories. Among them is Khudadad Khan, the first Muslim to be awarded the Victoria Cross. At Hollebeke, Belgium in 1914, Khan continued firing his machine gun alone after all his fellow soldiers had been killed, despite being severely wounded. Left for dead on the battlefield, he crawled back to his regiment under cover of darkness and carried on fighting. He was later presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace.

Another such story is that of Shahamad Khan, who earned the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery in Mesopotamia in April 1916. Manning a machine gun alone just yards from enemy trenches, he beat off three counterattacks after all but two of his men had become casualties. When his gun was knocked out, he held his ground with rifles until ordered to withdraw, and then personally carried back his gun, ammunition, and a severely wounded comrade who could not walk.

In the Second World War, Mohammed Hussain ran away from his home in Rawalpindi and volunteered for the British Indian Army at just 16. He went on to serve as a machine gunner at Monte Cassino – one of the war’s fiercest battles – before moving to the UK in 1960, where he dedicated himself to community service, supporting ex-servicemen and the families of former comrades until his death in 2025 at the age of 102.

Minister for Faith and Communities, Nesil Caliskan said: 

Our country is made up of a strong, diverse tapestry of different faith communities – and we owe that freedom to the bravery and sacrifice made by those who fought alongside us for a better future all those years ago. 

Muslim soldiers were a fundamental part of securing victory, but their story has been in the shadows for too long. This memorial will make sure their contribution stays in our memory now, and for generations to come.

The new memorial will also help to shine a light on the continued impact that Muslims make to British society – from politicians to athletes, and doctors to teachers, our Muslim communities continue to play a vital role in all aspects of our national life.

Beyond serving as a focal point for remembrance, the successful organisation will be expected to use the construction of the memorial as an educational resource to increase public awareness of this chapter of British military history, and encourage people of all backgrounds to reflect on the shared sacrifice that helped bring peace to the world.

The Muslim War Memorial complements the government’s wider Protecting What Matters strategy, which aims to build confident, strong communities and bring people of different faith backgrounds together.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 5 May 2026.

Government funding to tackle antisemitism and support Jewish communities.

• £1 million expansion of MHCLG’s Common Ground programme will support communities and places facing the greatest risk of antisemitism today
• Plus an additional £500,000 will be allocated immediately to Barnet Council, reflecting the recent serious antisemitic incidents in the borough, following their ask for government support
• Funding builds on the government’s commitment to work closely with Jewish communities to ensure actions work for them and drive real change on the ground

Jewish communities across England will receive a further £1 million of government funding to tackle antisemitism and strengthen community cohesion in those places facing the greatest risk.

An immediate £500,000 will also be allocated to Barnet Council, reflecting recent serious antisemitic incidents in the borough and the large number of Jewish residents there.

There has been an alarming rise in antisemitism both in this country and across much of the globe, including the horrific antisemitic terrorist attacks in Heaton Park and Bondi Beach last year, and an appalling spate of antisemitic attacks in North West London in recent weeks. 

To tackle this, the additional funding being announced today will expand MHCLG’s Common Ground programme – which is already providing more than £4 million to communities across the country.

The additional new government funding will power local efforts to counter antisemitism, support safer communities and respond to rising tensions in those towns and cities where our Jewish communities are most fearful and concerned.

The funding will help local people – especially those from Jewish communities and Jewish organisations who have been hit hardest recently – take rapid, visible action, ranging from community safety work and targeted youth and schools initiatives, to interfaith projects and programmes to challenge antisemitic narratives or hate crime.

The investment is in addition to the £25 million announced last week to boost police patrols, specialist officers, and protective security for Jewish communities – taking total funding to £58 million, as well as £7 million to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities.

Later today the Prime Minister will convene leaders from across society to call for everyone to play their part stamping out antisemitism.

Secretary of State for Housing and Communities said:

The horrific rise of antisemitism and anti-Jewish hatred in Britain and across the world is intolerable. I will not rest until Britain is a place where every Jewish person can live openly, safely and proudly.

Our Common Ground programme has already awarded millions of pounds into communities across the country, and today’s expansion of that programme builds on our commitment to tackle hate crime, promote integration and support communities most at risk.

While we know there is more to do, we believe that quickly channelling government funding directly to the communities and places facing the greatest risks today will help local partners to take early, practical action to keep people safe, strengthen communities and stand up to hate.

Under the expansion, councils, faith groups, schools, police, voluntary organisations and local people themselves – especially our Jewish communities – will work together to develop and deliver tailored local action which addresses the challenges they face in their own area today.

The funding forms one part a suite of measures from government to combat antisemitism across all corners of society, including the Protecting What Matters strategy which out plans to tackle extremism and antisemitism wherever it occurs.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 April 2026.

The most historic changes to private renting in England now give 11 million tenants landmark new rights and protections that will transform their experiences.

• 11 million private tenants in England are now protected by the biggest increase to renters’ rights in over 40 years
• No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions as the Renters’ Rights Act stamps out the practice for good, as part of a huge package of new protections starting today (1 May 2026)
• New rights with tougher fines now in force will help shield renters from financial exploitation, homelessness, discrimination and more

The most historic changes to private renting in England are now in action, giving 11 million tenants landmark new rights and protections that will transform their experiences.

This huge new package in force from today (1 May 2026) includes the highly anticipated ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – ending the practice of evicting tenants without justification which will give renters greater security and help prevent homelessness. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

For too long, families have lived with the constant fear of eviction, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives.

Today we are putting that right. We promised to fix a broken rental system and we’re delivering.

This historic action will make renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions, so people can settle, put down roots and build their lives.

Other changes will protect renters’ pockets by limiting rent increases to once a year and upfront rent demands to just one month’s payment. Bidding wars are now banned, so no one has to battle it out with high offers to secure a place and tenants can challenge unreasonable rent hikes.

Renters now have the flexibility to end any tenancy with no more than two months’ notice, as fixed-term agreements become invalid from today.

It is now also illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants for being on benefits or having children and pet requests must be reasonably considered.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:

Renters have been living at the mercy of rogue landlords and in fear of losing their home for too long.

We are putting a stop to this with historic changes that give renters the security they deserve – marking the beginning of a new era for private renters.

These new laws come with heftier penalties of up to £40k if they are broken and rogue landlords can no longer hide, as councils’ new powers under the Renters’ Rights Act kick in to investigate and clamp down harder.

Alongside boosted funding for councils to oversee the Act and take robust enforcement action, the courts are being digitalised to help tenants and landlords access justice, with millions being invested to simplify processes.

Generation Rent’s Chief Executive Ben Twomey said: 

Today marks a new era for private renters across England. This new law is a vital step towards re-balancing power between renters and landlords and should be celebrated.  

Our homes are the foundations of our lives, but, for decades, Section 21 evictions forced renters to live in fear of being turfed out of our homes, preventing us from raising valid concerns with our landlords. At last, this outdated and unfair law has been sent packing.  

If this law is to reach into people’s homes and improve their lives, it’s vital councils across the country are using all their powers to make sure landlords stick to the new rules. Meanwhile I encourage every renter to take the time to understand their new rights and how to enforce them.

Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

It’s fantastic that section 21 no fault evictions have finally been banned. For too long this everyday injustice has allowed landlords to get away with outrageous behaviour – profiting from unhealthy homes and threatening tenants who try to stand up to them.

And as well as abolishing section 21, the Renters’ Rights Act will make it easier for tenants to have pets in their home, limit rent up front to one month, end exploitative practices like bidding wars and make it easier to hold landlords to account over repairs. These are the biggest changes to private renting in a generation.

It’s taken years of campaigning by renters’ organisations to get us to this point but thanks to this legislation, today we are significantly closer to securing decent, secure homes for every renter.

Crisis Chief Executive Matt Downie said: 

Today marks an important milestone for the millions of people renting across England who have lived without stability and security for far too long. Private renters will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief without the threat of a ‘no fault’ eviction or an unfair rent increase pushing them into homelessness.

Section 21 evictions have long been one of the leading causes of homelessness. As an organisation we have campaigned long and hard to strengthen renters’ rights and today’s legislation is a critical step in doing so. At last, private renters can feel safe and secure in their homes without the threat of an unnecessary eviction forcing them into homelessness.

How have renters’ rights improved?

• No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – private landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.
• Goodbye to fixed contracts – all tenancies in the private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on your arrangement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end them with two months’ notice.
• Fairer rent rules – landlords can only raise rent once a year and renters can challenge unfair hikes.
• No more bidding wars – landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.
• One month’s rent upfront, max – landlords can’t ask for more.
• No discrimination – it’s now illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
• Pets welcome – renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords must reasonably consider it.

Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions

Private landlord possession claims using the Section 21 process that are going through the courts on the commencement date will proceed as normal.

After 1 May 2026, the courts will still be able to process Section 21 possessions that are ongoing, for example:

• if a private landlord served their tenant with a Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, any court possession proceedings must be made in line with the usual rules and no later than 31 July 2026, when using the Section 21 court process.
• after this date (31 July 2026), the landlord will not be able to use the Section 21 process and must use the new grounds for possession.

Further commentary

Dogs Trust Pet Friendly Housing Lead, Jennifer Leonard, said:

Across the UK, one in seven requests we receive from people wishing to hand over care of their dog is due to a housing-related issue.  

Now, we hope that fewer renters will face the heartbreaking choice between finding a safe place to live and keeping their beloved pet. The new legislation, alongside our resources on responsible pet ownership, provides clarity to landlords and tenants and will allow more people to benefit from the joy that pets can bring.

Joanna Elson, CBE, Chief Executive at Independent Age said:

The implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act is an important milestone for tenants of all ages. For the rising number of older private renters that we support, it is vital.

Many of the tenants in later life that we speak to say that, until now, they lived in a constant state of anxiety, worried about being evicted for no reason and the consequences of asking their landlord for repairs. Although the job of making renting safe, secure and affordable for everyone is not yet done, today, we are a significant step closer.

Seyi Obakin, chief executive of leading youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, said:

Ending youth homelessness requires a series of policies aimed at reducing the number of young people at risk and supporting those already experiencing it into sustainable tenancies and employment. 

The protections in the Renters’ Rights Act will prevent thousands of young people pushed into homelessness every year because of no fault evictions. This is a cause for real celebration: from the beginning of this month, fewer young people will end up in housing crisis or trapped in temporary accommodation as a result of a no-fault eviction. 

Private renting is the default option hundreds of thousands of young people across the country – the increased protections in this Act mean they better able to rely on the security of their tenancies and enjoy and benefit from the stability that brings.

Amira Campbell, National Union of Students President said:

Renting as a student can be as stressful as any university assignment. The Renters’ Rights Act is a transformative piece of legislation, giving us the ability to leave tenancies, capping the rent that can be demanded upfront, and stopping the rush to sign next year’s contract.

I am proud of the student leaders who worked with us to ensure that Act reflects the reality we face as students and gives us the reassurances we need to be able to feel secure in our housing. Those students have made sure that future students will not face the same exploitative conditions they had to endure.

I hope the momentum to give renters our rights only continues. Students are an important part of any university town or city, and we need a warm, decent place to live.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said:

This is an historic day for pet ownership.

For too long, renters in England have been unfairly denied the potential joy of pet ownership. That ends thanks to this new law.

This change is a lifeline – not just for families wanting to add a loving pet to the household, but for the many thousands of animals currently stuck in many full to bursting centres, who will now have many new opportunities to find loving adopters. Pet ownership is such a big commitment – but can be so rewarding. At the RSPCA, we are celebrating that the Renters’ Rights Act will facilitate happier, healthier tenants right across the country – and help us tackle a pet rehoming crisis.

Emma Haddad, CEO at St Mungo’s:

The Renters’ Rights Act represents a sea change moment for people who have been pushed into or put at risk of homelessness. Measures in the Act, including a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and limits on rent increases, signal a fundamental shift away from a system that has led people into homelessness instead of into a secure and stable home. 

Alongside the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force, we need to ensure that all elements of the Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness are progressed.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 2 April 2026.

20 new projects will receive a share of £2 million from the government’s Social Housing Innovation Fund.

• Twenty innovative schemes across England to receive a share of £2 million to strengthen social housing tenants’ voices and get problems sorted faster 
• Year-long trials will test new digital and face to face support that strengthen neighbourhood leadership and influence, tackle stigma and give voices to underrepresented tenants 
• Innovative projects include new AI assistance for social housing, a ‘living room on wheels’ for chats with housing officers and national online hub for shared ownership

Social housing residents are being put firmly centre stage in a major new government drive to get landlords to listen and involve tenants in important decisions.

By the end of April, 20 new digital and on the ground projects will have launched across the country, providing real-world fixes to issues tenants are most concerned about – ignored repairs, poor updates, slow responses and being bounced between services. 

Each project will run for 12 months to road-test bold new ideas that give tenants clearer and faster ways to talk to and influence their landlords. 

Thousands of tenants will be involved in the trials, which will involve testing interventions in targeted areas to see which are most successful so that the learnings from the projects can be rolled out nationwide.  

Specialised help will boost their voices, including tenants who face challenges like disabilities, trauma or low digital access, so their needs are heard and met.  

Strong digital and creative face to face projects will also be tested in neighbourhoods, with programmes to strengthen the presence of tenants on boards – giving residents of all ages and backgrounds the chance to lead and shape matters affecting them.

Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government Baroness Taylor said:

“We’ve doubled this fund to £2 million so we can ramp up practical, real-world interventions that strengthen tenants’ voices and ensure they are respected and taken seriously. 

“The best ideas will be rolled out nationwide and tenants will shape every step, so what we take forward genuinely works to transforms tenants’ experiences.”

Thanks to the government’s Social Housing Innovation Fund, announced last October, organisations  who competed for new funding will now each receive a share of £2 million to get going on their projects over the next 12 months.

They will work directly with tenants to ensure projects meet real needs and reach clear goals that prove their scalability.  

The fund supports the government’s wider objective to turn around tenants’ experiences in social housing and empower them to speak up when things go wrong, with new legislation like Awaab’s Law already holding landlords to account on tenant safety. 

This is alongside the government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Housing Programme, now open for business, which is delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.

Further information

The Social Housing Innovation Fund has awarded 20 projects across the country. This includes:

• Belonging Begins Here (BBH): Connecting our Communities. Accent Group. £120,000.
• Trusted Voices: A Council of Elders Model for Refugee Tenant Engagement. Ashley Community & Housing Ltd. £76,442.
• Ermine Community Partnership. Lincoln City Council. £104,049.
• Connected Neighbours: New Models for tenant-landlord engagement. Clarion Housing Group. £119,110.
• Our Homes. Leeds City Council.  £119.371.
• Hidden Voices to be Heard. Loconomy Ltd. £120,000.
• Amplifying Survivor Voices – Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women and Girls Residents. London Borough of Hillingdon.  £120,000.
• Tenant Board Member Academy: Building Leadership from Within. Manningham House Association Limited. £70,000.
• The Tenants’ Voice. National Communities Resource Centre Limited. £113,631.
• Building Safety Resident Engagement at Scale. Newham Council. £120,000.
• YouNG Networkers. Nottingham Community Housing Association. £98,889.
• A National Voice for Shared Owners. The Places Foundation (led by Shared Ownership Resources). £120,000.
• Richmond Community Ambassadors – Making a difference locally. London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. £102,316.
• Virtual Voices: Enhancing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Engagement Through Accessible Communication. Rooftop Housing Association. £75,500.
• The G15 Residents’ Group: A Model for Strategic Resident Involvement. Southern Housing (led by G15 Resident Group). £70,000.
• The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge: tenant-led change in social housing. Stonewall Housing Association.  £95,250.
• Improving resident scrutiny. Together Housing. £103,340.
• Breaking the stigma: Stronger scrutiny in social housing. Vico Homes. £72,368.
• Front room on wheels. Wigan Borough Council. £70,000.
• Wythenshawe Enabled – Powered by Difference. Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. £95,900.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 20 March 2026.

Forty more communities selected for Pride in Place, with local people choosing how £20 million is invested to strengthen their neighbourhood.

From saving youth centres and repairing playgrounds, to bringing empty buildings back into community use and expanding affordable after‑school activities – the Pride in Place programme has been designed to deliver improvements that matter to residents. And in many areas, neighbours are coming together to protect vital local services and create new spaces that bring people together.

The 40 new neighbourhoods named today join the 244 already taking part, bringing the total to 284 communities across the UK where local people are deciding how investment is used in their area.

As funding now flows to the first communities, work is getting under way across the country to turn plans into action and deliver change people can see in their streets, town centres and shared spaces. Further details will be set out shortly.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed said:

Across the country, people step outside their front door and feel like there is nothing for them: no sense of belonging, no investment in their area, no feeling that anyone is listening. 

Pride in Place backs these people and puts the tools and the money directly in their hands to change that, because strong communities aren’t built for people, they’re built by them. 

These new neighbourhoods are joining a movement that is bringing people closer together, and this government is backing them to do it.

Alongside this investment, the government continues to act on the issues that affect people’s quality of life and is taking robust action to protect families amid global uncertainty.

This includes £117 off energy bills and support for vulnerable households reliant on heating oil to warm their homes, on top of freezing rail fares and prescription charges, and rolling out free breakfast clubs.

Notes to editors

• The Pride in Place programme, including the Impact Fund, now supports 379 areas across the UK.
• A full breakdown of areas in receipt of Pride in Place funding can be found here: Pride in Place – GOV.UK
• The 40 areas have been chosen using an updated selection methodology. We will publish our full methodology shortly. The list of new areas set to benefit, is set out below

Local authority	Number of neighbourhoods	Neighbourhood names
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole	3	West Howe, Boscombe West, Hamworthy West
Medway	3	Luton, Twydall, Rede Common
Barking and Dagenham	2	Mayesbrook Park & Rippleside, Central Park & Frizlands Lane
Brent	2	St Raphaels, Harlesden
Coventry	2	Tile Hill, Hillfields
Enfield	2	Lower Edmonton South, Enfield Wash
Ipswich	2	Stoke Park, Whitehouse
Luton	2	Central Luton, Marsh Farm
Newcastle upon Tyne	2	Fawdon South, Throckley & Newburn
Slough	2	Britwell, Langley Foxborough
Ashfield	1	Hucknall Westville
Bexley	1	Slade Green & Crayford Marshes
Birmingham	1	Handsworth West
Cannock Chase	1	Cannock North
Croydon	1	University Hospital & Queen’s Road
Derby	1	New Normanton
Exeter	1	Heavitree East & Whipton South
Gloucester	1	Matson & Robinswood
Greenwich	1	Thamesmead Birchmere Park
Manchester	1	Moss Side West
Newham	1	Little Ilford East
Rushmoor	1	Mayfield
Sandwell	1	Tividale
Stevenage	1	St Nicholas
Stoke-on-Trent	1	Bradeley & Chell Heath
Thurrock	1	Tilbury
Walsall	1	Brownhills
Wolverhampton	1	Waterloo Road

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 9 March 2026.

Some voters in England will be able to cast their ballot in a shopping centre and on weekends as part of plans to make voting easier and more convenient for people during May’s local elections.

The way we vote at the polling booth has not changed since 1872. Four areas are taking part in new pilots which will give people more choice over where and when they vote, by turning popular venues into polling booths and letting people vote before polling day.

In Milton Keynes, voters can have their say in the city’s main shopping centre – Midsummer Place – rather than being restricted to a single designated polling station. This could eventually be rolled out across the country in future elections along high streets and in town centres.  

People in Cambridge, Tunbridge Wells and North Hertfordshire will be able to cast their vote in person ahead of the election, including on the weekend. This will stop people being limited to just one polling day.  

Voters in these places will be able to visit central buildings across their area at a time that suits them, such as the Guildhall in Cambridge’s city centre.  

This will make voting more convenient, accessible and efficient for local people – and could eventually happen in all UK elections.   

Minister for Democracy Samantha Dixon said:  

The way we vote in person has not adapted to people’s busy lives, with voters often given no choice but to cast their ballot at strictly set polling stations within limited hours.

Our trials will make polling days more convenient and test out the first real changes for over 100 years, bringing our democracy into the 21st century.

Further plans for future pilots could include mobile voting stations that travel to different locations, potentially including care homes, universities, or community centres. Other plans could include voters casting their vote at any polling station within the local authority area rather than being restricted to a designated location.  

At the same time the integrity and security of the UK’s voting system will continue to be protected, with participating local authorities using existing safeguards, and robust technology, with strong support from the government throughout. 

Local authorities will continue to operate traditional polling stations alongside the new options, and people will still be able to vote by post or proxy, meaning voters can choose the method that works best for them. 

This comes alongside the government’s landmark Representation of the People Bill which reduces barriers to participation including a landmark change to give votes to 16 year olds, along with tougher rules on political donations to tackle risks around foreign interference in our democracy.

Peter Stanyon, Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, said:  

These pilots are a great start to exploring different ways to offer electors greater choice about when and where they cast their vote. Weekend and early voting, plus voting hubs at places like shopping centres, are used to good effect in many democracies and we hope will also be successful here. Well done to the election teams who have stepped up to take these pilots forward, we look forward to learning from you.

William Benson, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for Tunbridge Wells borough said:  

I am very pleased that Tunbridge Wells is part of the pilot scheme. It’s important that every eligible elector uses their vote and three hubs in key locations across the borough will make it even easier. 

Voters can be assured these new arrangements are just as secure as the polling stations they’re used to, and the same helpful staff will be there to guide people through the process.

Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Pete Marland said: 

Milton Keynes is proud to be leading the way as the UK’s first pilot area for a central voting hub, making it easier and more convenient for people to vote. We’re committed to improving democratic participation, and this innovative approach will give residents greater flexibility.

Melanie Stimpson, Democratic Services Manager and Returning Officer for North Hertfordshire said: 

We are very pleased to have been selected to take part in the flexible voting pilots. We know that people lead busy lives and face real challenges in finding time to vote.  Being able to explore new approaches is important to understand how we can better support of residents and collaborate our Council priorities of thriving committees and accessible services.

Robert Pollock, Returning Officer for the City of Cambridge:  

Cambridge is renowned for science and tech innovation. We want to bring that mindset to test how we can make voting more inclusive and convenient for all our residents. We already have higher than average turnout in Cambridge. I’d really like this trial to help us get to over 40% at the May local elections.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing on 9 March 2026.

The government is launching a rallying call for action, setting out the first steps towards a more connected, cohesive and resilient United Kingdom.

Millions of families, friends and neighbours will feel a stronger sense of community, unity and national pride thanks to renewed efforts to stamp out extremism, hate and division announced today.

Today the government is launching a rallying call for action, setting out the first steps towards a more connected, cohesive and resilient United Kingdom – a place where neighbour continues to look out for neighbour and people come together with a shared sense of values, pride, and belonging.  

The action plan follows decades of rapid change – technological advancements, demographic change, local industries collapsing, the increasing cost of living and the decline of vital public services. This has caused a strain on social cohesion. Bad actors, including from abroad, have sought to stoke community tensions and promote toxic division and extremist ideology in our communities. 

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed will tell the House of Commons:   

Today, through the publication of Protecting What Matters, we set out the first steps towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom. This plan is what patriotism means to this government. We choose to celebrate our national successes and historic achievements, we choose to come together in the best of times and the worst of times, and we choose to take on those who try to divide us.

This publication – Protecting What Matters – puts the emphasis on healing divided communities, setting out clear expectations around what it means to live together and integrate into society, tackling those trying to subvert our shared values and ultimately promoting pride, unity and tolerance.   

This comes as the latest statistics show that hate crime is rising, with Jewish people disproportionately more targeted by hate crime than any other group.  

To tackle antisemitism head on, the government is investing at record levels to scale up security at synagogues and schools, clamping down on antisemitic extremism, and rolling out training on antisemitism in the workplace.  

Religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims are also at record levels, with almost half of these crimes targeted towards the Muslim community and many living in fear that they will be targeted because of how they look or assumptions over where they come from.  This government has a duty to act but cannot tackle something that has not been defined.  

The government is taking the historic step of adopting a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility which makes it clear what is unacceptable prejudice, discrimination and hatred directed at Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim.   

Crucially, this definition protects the fundamental right to freedom of speech while protecting people from unacceptable abuse and violence. A special representative on anti-Muslim hostility will also be appointed to support action to strengthen understanding, reporting and response.   

This sits alongside a new suite of measures to bring communities across the country together:  

• Tough action on extremism with stronger powers to shut down charities promoting extremism and transformed capability to disrupt extremists, including stopping hate preachers entering the UK, and an annual State of Extremism report.   
• Clear expectations will be set around integration for people looking to settle in the UK, focused on shared language, local participation and respect for shared values. To support this, the Government will look at how English is taught, and if new technology can help more people can speak the language confidently.   
• A £500,000 investment in community-led school linking projects will bring children from different backgrounds together, helping them forge friendships and understand what they have in common. And tougher oversight of home education – including the first-ever mandatory register of children not in school – will ensure no child misses out on the shared values and experiences that bind communities together. 

This all builds on the £5.8 billion committed to hundreds of areas through the Pride in Place programme, with power put in the hands of local people.