Levelling Up Committee calls for formal review over “egregiously overdue” responses from DLUHC to its reports

The chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has lamented "egregiously overdue responses" from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities to the committee's reports, following a special report on the delays.

The cross-party committee's chair, Clive Betts MP, said the late responses had meant the committee had been forced to spend more time and funds chasing responses from the department, "frequently to no avail".

According to the committee's report, DLUHC has not responded to any of the seven reports in the 2022-23 parliamentary session within two months of publication, breaking the convention that departments should respond to all select committee reports within two months.

The committee is still yet to receive DLUHC's response to its report on reforming the private rented sector, which was published in February 2023. The report included recommendations concerning the Government's plans to ban section 21 'no fault' evictions.

The committee's report on permitted development rights, published in July 2021, did not receive a response from DLUHC until 20 months after its publication.

On average, responses to reports have been six months late in the 2022-23 session, according to the committee.

Its report recommends the Cabinet Secretary provide his assessment of why the delay has occurred, including the work of the team responsible for private rented sector policy and its role in producing a response to the committee's private rented sector report.

The LUHC Committee has also asked the Liaison Committee to consider conducting a formal review of the Government's response times to and communications with select committees about their reports.

Clive Betts said: "The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has previously been identified as a 'repeat offender' for its egregiously overdue responses. It is concerning and disappointing that the committee continues to spend excessive time and resources on chasing the department for updates and that this is frequently to no avail.

"The Committee has published reports on a range of important areas such as adult social care, social housing, and the private rented sector. The lack of timely responses to our reports significantly inhibits our constitutional role to scrutinise the work of the department. These issues matter greatly to the wider public. DLUHC should urgently get its house in order and respond swiftly to our Reforming the Private Rented Sector report, published seven months ago, and take steps to rectify these persistent delays".

A DLUHC spokesperson said: “The Department takes its responsibilities to Parliament and Select Committees very seriously. The Levelling Up Select Committee provides important scrutiny and challenge to the Department and we carefully consider the contents, details and recommendations of each report before responding.

“Where delays have occurred, such as in response to the Committee’s report on ‘Reforming the Private Rented Sector, we have sought to keep the Committee updated on progress.

“We remain committed to ensuring all Departmental responses are comprehensive and reflect the latest developments in Parliament and the relevant policy area.”

Adam Carey