Today was the First Reading of my Supported Housing (Regulation) Bill, which, if it becomes law, would ensure that vulnerable people are only housed in decent, safe accommodation, where they will get the care and support they need, and would prevent unscrupulous landlords taking advantage of the housing benefit system, which allows much higher rents to be claimed if a minimal element of support is provided.

This Bill follows years of work, and lobbying the Government to take action, which was in part prompted by the case of Wick House, in Brislington. One resident, Paul Way, died in 2017 and his body was not found until three days later, showing just how little support there was for him there.

You can read the full transcript of my speech here (https://hansard.parliament.uk/…/SupportedHousing…), which outlines the problems identified at Wick House and elsewhere, and how current laws and guidance are not good enough. I will be meeting Government Ministers to discuss the issue later this month, and I am hopeful they will act to stop exploitation of tenants and the housing benefit system by backing my Bill.

View the clip here.