The government is taking steps to prevent the victims of domestic abuse from being denied social housing due to rent arrears

After Baroness Taylor told the House of Lords in June that statutory guidance would be updated to achieve this, Matthew Pennycook told the House of Commons on 10th September that, if the guidance was insufficient, the government would introduce legislation.  In response to a point from Jess Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley who is a strong campaigner on domestic abuse, Mr Pennycook said: "I am more than happy to make clear that if that guidance is not effective, does not have the intended effects that we all want to see, we will not hesitate to pursue changes through regulations.”