Local MP Marcus Jones has this week supported the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill, bought in by Watford MP Richard Harrington, as it reached the crucial Committee stage.

At the Committee hearing Marcus gave his backing to the Bill which will free up social housing properties in Nuneaton and tackle the real problem of unlawful subletting of social housing property across England and Wales.

The Private Members Bill seeks to create a new criminal offence for the unlawful subletting of social housing properties and introduces measures that will see sentences imposed on offenders and rights for Local Authorities to recoup any unlawful profits made. Further measures introduced today extend the remit of the Bill to Wales and bring in much needed powers of data access for investigation and prosecution of the offence.

Unlawful subletting of social housing properties is estimated to affect between 50,000 and 150,000 properties nationwide and cost around £900 million pounds to the taxpayer each year. The purpose of the Bill is to introduce effective deterrents to prevent the crime, punish those who carry out the fraud, and most importantly free up thousands of social housing properties for those on the waiting lists who truly deserve them.

The Bill has overwhelming support from all political parties across the house as well as Housing Associations, Local Authorities and the organisations that deal with this type of fraud. During the Committee this morning special thanks was paid to former Housing Minister John Healey MP, the first person to start to tackle this issue.

Commenting, Marcus said: “I was delighted to support this Bill as it will make a real difference in Nuneaton. For too long this fraud has been able to be carried out, undetected and unreported, with no real recourse to tackle it. I am pleased that Richard Harrington’s Bill has passed this important stage and is one step closer to becoming law.

“The Bill is good news for the vast majority of law abiding social housing tenants and the many thousands of people in my constituency who are waiting for a social housing property.”

Adding, Richard Harrington MP said: “I am very grateful that Marcus has given his support for my Bill and attended this important stage of the Bill today.

“I hope to get this vital legislation passed as soon as possible so Local Authorities have the right tools to tackle this fraud and provide effective deterrents, to prosecute offenders and free up houses for the hardworking individuals and families that truly deserve them.”