The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG ) Committee yesterday questioned Angle Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government and deputy prime minister.

The evidence session was the first HCLG Committee session with the secretary of state in this parliament.

Last month, the HCLG Committee launched an inquiry on the funding and sustainability of local government finance, looking at whether the local government finance system in England is fit for purpose.

The HCLG Committee also has two short inquiries underway, examining the topics of children in temporary accommodation and rough sleeping. The Committee held an evidence session on 20 November with Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, on the Government’s plans to deliver on the commitment of 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament.

Watch now:

Witnesses:

Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Sarah Healey CB CVO, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Responding to Rayner’s appearance at Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, commented: “It is encouraging to hear that the UK government intends to progress with leasehold reform and that they are committed to making commonholding a default position for many.

“Propertymark welcomes Rayner’s pledge to introduce the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in March and we look forward to working with them on meeting their ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million new homes.

“However, while the housing secretary is intent on scrapping Section 21, which she believes is the answer to ending homelessness, it is essential there is full clarity from the UK Government on how it intends to address issues which Propertymark has highlighted, such as the anticipated backlog it will cause within the courts system.”