Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Deferred
Paragraph: 42
Require local authorities to report and publish M4(2) and M4(3) new build data annually.
Conclusion
We are surprised that the Department does not hold any data on the number of new builds completed to the M4(2) and M4(3) standards in England, especially given that local authorities are already required to provide data on the supply of new homes to central Government annually. The Department must require local authorities to report on the supply of new homes at [a] M4(2) standard and [b] M4(3) standard Disabled people in the housing sector 31 specifically in their annual data submission to the Department. The Department must publish this data annually as part of the ‘Housing supply: net additional dwellings’ statistical release.
Government Response Summary
The government discusses local authorities' flexibility with DFG funding and means testing, and states it will continue to keep aspects of the grant under consideration, but does not address the recommendation to require data collection and publication on new homes built to M4(2) and M4(3) standards.
Paragraph Reference:
42
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
31. Local authorities have a significant degree of flexibility in how they deliver home adaptations funding, including in relation to the means test. For example, they can publish a housing assistance policy to increase the upper limit of the grant or remove means testing for grants costing under a certain amount. Some local authorities could therefore decide to take a specific approach to ensure a working age disabled person is not disproportionately penalised if they feel this might be occurring. 32. We note the Committee’s recommendations. To ensure the DFG is as effective as possible, we will continue to keep different aspects of the grant under consideration, including the means test. LUHC Select Committee Report conclusion: We welcome the Government’s decision to increase overall DFG funding allocations to local authorities in 2023/24 and 2024/25. However, the current DFG distribution formula is unfair and does not distribute funds according to local need. Oxford City Council sets a good example for how local authorities across England should develop local policies to offer small discretionary grants to support the wider needs of disabled people.