MPs have criticised the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for what they describe as its ‘persistent poor performance’ in the timeliness of responses to committee reports.
The cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has published a Special Report today that found that the DLUHC has not responded to any of the committee’s seven reports in the 2022-23 session within two months of publication.
It is an established convention that Government departments should respond to all select committee reports within two months.
Committee chair Clive Betts said: ‘The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has previously been identified as a “repeat offender” for its egregiously overdue responses. It is concerning and disappointing that the committee continues to spend excessive time and resources on chasing the department for updates and that this is frequently to no avail.’
A DLUHC spokesperson said: 'The Department takes its responsibilities to Parliament and Select Committees very seriously. The Levelling Up Select Committee provides important scrutiny and challenge to the Department and we carefully consider the contents, details and recommendations of each report before responding.'
'We remain committed to ensuring all Departmental responses are comprehensive and reflect the latest developments in Parliament and the relevant policy area,' the spokesperson added.
