As a party, we're very happy to be supporting the consent motion for the sake of both tenants and the vast majority of responsible landlords. It's important that we have a framework that will crack down on poor standards, when needed. The Bill seeks to establish a new proactive approach to regulating social housing. Such issues include safety and tenant engagement, as well as creating new enforcement powers to tackle landlords that fail in their duty.

The UK Government identified the Bill has having three main objectives: to facilitate a new proactive consumer regulation regime; to refine the existing economic regulatory regime; and to strengthen the Regulator of Social Housing's powers to enforce the consumer and economic regimes. The UK Government announced that the objectives for the Regulator of Social Housing will include safety and transparency. The legislative barrier to regulator action—the serious detriment test—will be removed. Moreover, it will be mandatory for landlords to nominate a designated person for health and safety issues. 

This Bill will ensure that providers are well governed and financially viable to protect homes and supply investment. The UK Government seeks to encourage continued investment in the sector, as well as the development of new homes and the protection of tenants from the risk of provider insolvency. The UK Government's Bill will ensure the regulator can effectively intervene, when needed, through new enforcement powers, and the Bill will also ensure that the regulator has the appropriate tools to deal with non-compliance. 

Whilst the majority of provisions in the Bill relate to the regulation of social housing by English bodies, it will still have an impact on some tenants here in Wales. Provisions of the Bill extend to Wales insofar as English-registered providers who own and/or manage some social housing stock in Wales. There are approximately 530 properties in Wales that are owned and/or managed by an English RP, which will be subject to these changes described in the Bill. The Minister for Climate Change described it as appropriate for the provisions to be dealt with within the UK Parliament Bill, due to the small numbers of social housing stock in Wales owned or managed by an English-based RP. Of course, we agree, and we also hope that this means the Welsh Government recognises the need for strong England-and-Wales co-operation, so that we can ensure that these protections are as strong as possible.

The Minister has recommended the Senedd consents to the provisions, describing the clauses as positive for our tenants in Wales. We are very happy to agree with the Minister on this. Whilst it is welcome that the Senedd granted its consent in the legislative consent memorandum vote in February, it is, however, disappointing that Plaid Cymru voted against. I really struggle to see the reasoning behind this. The Bill, as acknowledged by the Welsh Government, strengthens tenants' rights, and, where applicable, will hold landlords to account when they fail in their role as a landlord. What part of this approach would Plaid Cymru be against?

There is one clause that has been tabled during the House of Commons Report Stage that does require Senedd consent. The provision, which was tabled by the UK Government, introduces a new section into the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. The clause would enable the regulator to set standards to ensure those with management responsibilities have or are working towards appropriate qualifications, according to their role. This is very welcome, and I hope that the Welsh Governent and the UK Government will be able to engage constructively in order to strengthen tenant rights.

The Welsh Government continues to recommend the Senedd gives its consent to the Bill. We are very happy to be joining these calls, and will be voting this way. Thank you. Diolch.