Member

Next, I draw the Committee’s attention to Amendment 154, which seeks to probe the Government’s reason for granting local housing authorities the power to impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000. Local housing authorities across the nation face significant cost pressures. Factors which are well rehearsed, such as population growth, homelessness and housing insecurity, have collided with tight budgets and increasing costs. Global inflationary pressures pushed up the price of building materials, maintenance, staffing and temporary accommodation. These pressures are not going away. The OBR has forecast that inflation is set to rise and the Chancellor’s inflationary policies will hurt these providers further.