Inter-Ministerial Group for Housing, Communities and Local Government communiqué: 10 May 2023
Updated 12 January 2024
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The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) for Housing, Communities and Local Government met on Wednesday 10 May by video conference.
The attending ministers were:
From the Welsh Government: due to illness on the day of the meeting the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS had to send her apologies. The Welsh Government was represented by: Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration; Sarah Rhodes, Head of Homelessness Prevention; Andrea Street, Deputy Director, Housing Safety Regulations & Standards; and Jo Larner, Head of Building Safety Programme.
From the Scottish Government: the Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP. Minister McLennan stepped in to chair the meeting in Minister James’ absence.
From the UK Government: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Housing and Rough Sleeping and for the Union and Constitution: Felicity Buchan MP, who was not present for the building safety item given her constituency link to Grenfell, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety: Lee Rowley MP.
From the Northern Ireland Executive: Mark O’Donnell - Deputy Secretary of Housing, Urban Regeneration and Local Government, Paul Price, Director of Social Housing Policy and Kieran Devlin, Deputy Director Housing Supply Policy.
The Chair opened proceedings by welcoming attendees to the second meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group. The group discussed the challenges each government faces around tackling homelessness. The group also discussed progress made on building safety matters since the inaugural IMG meeting. They acknowledged the positive working relationship between officials in the areas of building safety and homelessness and agreed for this official level engagement to continue.
It was confirmed the Scottish Government will host the next meeting, which will take place in the autumn. Officials will work together to identify a specific date and suitable agenda items.