Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
DLUHC's future data reliance on non-mandatory local schemes lacks clear timetable.
Conclusion
DLUHC and DWP are taking steps to better understand supported housing with the publication of the new snapshot of data. To ensure its understanding is relevant in the future, DLUHC is relying on the new duties that the Act imposes to get local authorities to provide it with annual data. The Act requires local authorities to produce new local housing strategies as part of a licensing scheme for supported housing in their areas.32 DLUHC expects local authorities will draw on the strategies and licensing schemes to provide information, including on supply and demand. There is currently no timetable for the local housing strategies to be completed and the licensing schemes are not mandatory.33 26 C&AG’s Report, para 15 27 Q 81; C&AG’s Report, para 2.21 28 Q 13 29 C&AG’s Report, para 2.22 30 Qq 67–69 31 Q 67 32 Qq 32, 60 33 C&AG’s Report, Figure 5 12 Supported housing 2 Burdens on local authorities Supported housing local licencing schemes, and possible unintended consequences
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, with a Summer 2024 target. It confirms DLUHC's commissioned research and DWP's data improvements, and highlights that the Act places new duties on local authorities for strategic plans and a licensing regime to provide future data, with consultation on details planned for early 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2024 3.2 The government recognises that data is limited, and that better quality data would support evidence-based decision making. 3.3 DLUHC has commissioned research to provide an up-to-date assessment of the sector, which is due to be published in early 2024. Following this, a second research project will set out the benefits and outcomes delivered by supported housing. 3.4 In 2022, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made investments to deliver improvements to local authority (LA) IT systems, to accurately record all new Housing Benefit claims. This has substantially improved data quality for new claims. DWP has contacted LAs with lists of incorrectly recorded new claims for them to make necessary changes. 3.5 DWP has also taken action to improve data on existing claims. LAs have been awarded £4.79 million in additional New Burdens funding to review their Housing Benefit caseload and set the supported housing status accurately. This review is to be completed by 31 March 2024. DWP is monitoring administrative data to identify LAs’ progress with the case review and will continue to do so until March 2024. 3.6 From April 2024, these changes will ensure DWP has robust data enabling it to quantify the scale and cost of specified accommodation. DWP will continue to monitor new Housing Benefit claims to ensure that data quality is maintained. 3.7 The Act places new duties on local housing authorities to produce supported housing strategic plans and introduces a licensing regime. These measures will allow DLUHC to capture information on the supply and demand of supported housing and provide a better understanding of the sector. Details will be consulted on in early 2024 and DLUHC will also carry out a New Burdens assessment.