Shapps Slammed For ‘Absence’ in Commons on Housing Reform

Housing minister Grant Shapps has been slammed by Labour opposition for being absent in the House of Commons during key debates on social housing and homelessness, as the Localism Bill eventually cleared the Commons. MPs voted by 300 to 216, Government majority 84, in favour of the Bill. Junior communities minister Andrew Stunell was left to defend the housing reforms and came under attack from all sides over Government plans to roll out fixed term tenancies. The key amendment by Labour – to remove clause 130 of the Bill ‘ to create short-term tenancies in social housing where the tenant would be reassessed for eligibility after as little as eighteen months’ – was defeated. MPs voted by 298 to 223 against the removal of the clause.Mr Shapps was present for the opening of Mr Stunell's speech but was not present for the ensuing debate. Read more on 24dash.