Correspondence from the Minister for Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Victoria Atkins MP, to Carolyn Harris MP following the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill 2019.
The letter thanks members for their contributions and sets out the government’s position ahead of committee stage.
The Regulator of Social Housing has today (31 October 2019) published the response to its consultation on proposals to introduce a new Rent Standard from 1 April 2020.
The consultation, which ran from May to July 2019, followed a Direction to the regulator by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in February 2019 to publish a Rent Standard.
The Direction set out the government’s rent policy for social housing for the next five years and covers all areas of rent setting as well as the requirement for RSH to undertake the regulation of local authority rents for the first time. It was supplemented by a comprehensive ‘Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing,’ which provides much of the detail needed by providers to ensure that they comply with rent setting requirements.
The Rent Standard will implement policy for social housing rents when the requirements of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 come to an end.
There were 127 responses to the consultation, with the sector giving a very positive response to the proposals. Key points from the consultation were:
As a result of the consultation, the new Rent Standard has been finalised and will come into force on 1 April 2020.
Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of RSH, said:
Having consulted with a wide range of stakeholders and taken into account their feedback, we are confident that our new Rent Standard, which will come into effect from April 2020, reflects the Government’s Direction, which it had previously consulted on. It updates our role with regards to monitoring local authority registered provider rents.
The Decision Statement and response to the consultation is available on our website.
The Government’s consultation Rents for social housing from 2020-21 which ran from September to November 2018, is on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s website
More information can be found on the Government’s 2019 Direction on Rents and the Rent Standard issued in 2015
RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver homes that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if these standards are breached and there is a significant risk of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants.
See our Media enquiries page. For general queries, please email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5225.
Mr Richard Morris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji.
Mr Richard Morris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji in succession to Ms Melanie Hopkins. Mr Morris will take up his appointment in July 2020.
Full name: Richard Charles Morris
Married to: Alison Jane Morris
Children: Three
| 2015 to present | Kathmandu, Her Majesty’s Ambassador |
| 2013 to 2015 | FCO, Head, Pacific Department |
| 2008 to 2013 | Sydney, HM Consul General and Director General UKTI Australasia |
| 2005 to 2008 | Mexico City, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul General |
| 2001 to 2004 | FCO, Head, Assistance Group, Consular Directorate |
| 2000 to 2001 | FCO, Head, Resource Accounting and Budgeting Team |
| 1996 to 2000 | Bridgetown, Second Secretary, Political |
| 1993 to 1996 | Ottawa, Third Secretary, Political |
| 1991 to 1992 | FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Cultural Relations Department |
| 1990 to 1991 | FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Non-Proliferation and Defence Department |
| 1990 | Joined FCO |
Published 31 October 2019
The UK Government’s Cardiff Central Square Hub building will be named after Bishop William Morgan in recognition of his pivotal role in maintaining the strength of the Welsh language, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has announced today, Thursday 31 October.
William Morgan spent nearly a decade translating the Bible into Welsh from Greek and Hebrew. His hugely significant work, which was completed in 1588, is seen as the foundation stone on which modern Welsh language literature is based.
The name of the new building was chosen to reflect the creativity and dedication of civil servants in Wales and the UK Government’s commitment to Wales and to Welsh culture.
More than 4,000 staff from various UK Government departments and agencies are set to work from the 12-storey hub, which will have capacity to host full UK Cabinet meetings. The first occupants are scheduled to move in in twelve months’ time.
Tŷ William Morgan / William Morgan House is one of 16 UK Government hub buildings currently being created across the UK’s nations and regions as part of the Government Estate Strategy.
Staff at the Cardiff hub will benefit from a flexible, inclusive working environment as well as close access to Cardiff Central railway station and other transport links.
Tŷ William Morgan – William Morgan House is central to the UK Government’s ambitious plans to create a dynamic civil service which is equipped to meet future demands.
The new building demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to Wales and to strengthening the Union. It will provide a modern working environment to attract and retain high calibre staff who will be able to grow their careers locally.
It is fitting that this landmark building in our capital city is named after a figure whose pioneering translation of the Bible was instrumental in the survival and growth of the Welsh language and in the development of our unique culture.
Our investigation report into the keel failure and capsize of the UK registered charter yacht Tyger of London off Punta Rasca, Tenerife on 7 December 2017, is now published.
The report contains details of what happened, the subsequent actions taken and the recommendation made: read more.
Published 31 October 2019