– in the Senedd at 6:23 pm on 3 February 2026.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:23,
3 February 2026
Group 8 is next. This group of amendments relates to condition of accommodation. Amendment 80 is the lead amendment. Siân Gwenllian to move that amendment.
Siân Gwenllian
Plaid Cymru
6:23,
3 February 2026
Thank you very much, Llywydd. The Amendment in this group in my name relates to the quality and the condition of accommodation, and specifically the provision under section 29 of the 2014 Act. That section clearly states that a local authority should not consider accommodation that contains a category 1 hazard as being suitable. Let me be absolutely clear on this basic principle: no-one should have to live in unliveable accommodation, and the amendment in this group in my name does address that problem directly.
Category 1 hazards are recognised as a serious risk to the health and safety of occupants in a property—things such as dangerous stairs, electrical issues and damp. Tackling these issues is crucial, as they also threaten the well-being of the individual—it's not just an issue of health and safety; well-being comes into this as well. Local authorities already have a statutory duty to take action in respect of these hazards, so adding this requirement on the face of the Bill would not be revolutionary or a significant new burden; instead, it would make it clear that it is not acceptable for local authorities to commission or consider accommodation that contains these hazards. We believe strongly that the basic standard, namely that an accommodation that includes a category 1 hazard should never be seen as suitable—that that should be on the face of the Bill. This sets a clear line of expectations and sends a clear message of safety regarding individuals who face circumstances of this kind every day. And so, on that basis, we ask you to support this amendment—a sensible, proportionate and principled step to ensure that accommodation does not, under any circumstances, undermine the safety or well-being of the most vulnerable people
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:25,
3 February 2026
The Cabinet Secretary to reply—Jayne Bryant.
Jayne Bryant
Labour
Amendment 80 aims to prohibit the use of accommodation that contains a category 1 hazard for discharging any homelessness functions. Let me say first and clearly that no-one should live in accommodation that is unsafe, and Siân and I can strongly agree on that point. However, I cannot support this amendment. As I've set out in my response to the Local Government and Housing Committee, Welsh Ministers already hold sufficient powers to deliver our policy intention on the suitability of accommodation through secondary legislation. This amendment is therefore unnecessary.
The white paper set out several areas relating to the suitability of accommodation where we will prioritise use of these secondary legislative powers. These include category 1 hazards, but also changes related to overcrowding and shared sleeping space. There are several areas where action is required to improve the condition of accommodation, and I believe these need to be considered together, working with our delivery partners. Ongoing development of secondary legislation with our partners will ensure we deliver an effective response that takes account of these wider issues and will allow us to work through complex issues, such as how hazards are reported after placement, timelines for response and any necessary exceptions. It's also necessary to ensure we understand the impacts for all local authorities and offer additional support to those disproportionately impacted by the changes.
We also need to align to the Welsh housing quality standards and the new requirements for landlords to investigate serious hazards, which will come into force from April this year. These measures will strengthen accountability and transparency across the sector and challenge unacceptable failures from landlords. However, some time is necessary to embed the changes and to ensure that our secondary legislation integrates into this wider policy landscape. I therefore ask Members to reject this unnecessary amendment, but note my continued commitment to use our existing powers to achieve the same aim. This is not an arbitrary commitment. My officials are currently in discussion with local authorities in order that the next Government can bring forward regulations early in the eighth Senedd. I therefore ask Members to reject amendment 80.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
6:28,
3 February 2026
Siân Gwenllian to reply.
Siân Gwenllian
Plaid Cymru
Thank you very much. I hear what the Cabinet Secretary says, but I do want to move this Amendment to a vote, because category 1 hazards are recognised as a serious risk to the health and safety of occupants in accommodation, and it's an important point of principle and will move things forward more quickly in terms of having it on the face of the Bill. Thank you.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
The question is that Amendment 80 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. Open the vote on amendment 80. Close the vote. The vote is tied. I exercise my casting vote against amendment 80, and therefore the result of the vote is as follows. There were 24 in favour, no abstentions, and 25 against. Amendment 80 is therefore not agreed.
Division number 7126
Amendment 80
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.
