The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable.

Our latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the bottom of the page.

GOVERNMENT

  • Department of Work and Pensions to restart transition to Universal Credit – DWP has restarted its programme to move all households onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits and tax credits. This could impact the income of almshouse residents.
    Some customers will ‘naturally’ move to Universal Credit as a result of a change in their circumstances while others will move through ‘managed’ and ‘voluntary’ migration. The DWP will also gradually increase invitations for legacy claimants to make the move onto Universal Credit. Claimants who make the move via the managed migration track will be provided with transitional protections. This means their income will be topped up if moving to Universal Credit leaves them with less money than they received previously. Those who opt to move voluntarily, however, will not receive these protections.
    Guidance on moving to Universal Credit can be found here. It is recommended that anyone thinking of switching should consult an independent benefits calculator to check they will not be worse off by switching.

  • Queen’s Speech – The Queen’s Speech took place on May 10th with Almshouse Association Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, reading the speech in place of HRH The Queen. In total, 38 Bills were included in the speech, these included:
    • Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
      • Creating a duty on the Government to produce an annual report tracking progress of the levelling up missions
      • Laying the foundations for greater English devolution
      • Improvements to the planning system, prioritising environmental assessments
      • A locally set non-negotiable infrastructure levy
      • Simplification and standardisation of local plans process.
    • Renters’ Reform Bill
      • Abolishment of section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 – the so-called ‘no-fault’ evictions
      • Application of the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector
      • New private landlord’s ombudsman and a property portal for landlords.
    • Social Housing Regulation Bill
      • Strengthening the role and powers of the Regulator for Social Housing
      • Introducing greater transparency for tenants on landlord performance
      • Strengthening of the economic regulation of the social housing sector to increase protection and investment
      • Creation of new Tenant Satisfaction Measures.
    • Wider Housing Reform
      • Commitment to improve home ownership
      • Commitment to creating a fair and just housing system, on top of the announced social housing reform Bill
      • Promise to publish guidance for enforcement officers and consumers for the implementation of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act, which was passed last session
      • Cooperation with the Competition and Markets Authority in their ongoing investigation into mis-selling and unfair terms in the leasehold sector
      • Commitments to further reform the leasehold and commonhold sector.
    • Data Reform Bill – replacing UK GDPR
      • Creating a data protection framework that is focused on privacy outcomes
      • Greater action against organisations who breach data rights
      • Simplify the rules around research
      • It is also believed that the legislation could remove the requirement for cookie consent banners.

The Almshouse Association will, as always, monitor legislation as it develops for any unintended consequences which may negatively impact members if unaddressed.

WALES

  • Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 – The Welsh Government has opened a consultation on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. The standard currently applies to housing operated by Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords. Most, if not all, Welsh almshouse charities are likely to not fit into this category, nonetheless, charities may wish to contribute to the consultation or make contact with The Almshouse Association who can reply on their behalf.

    The consultation will run for 12 weeks as of May 11th and can be found here.

RECORD OF PREVIOUS 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:

posted 16 May 22