Written question WQ97150
- Asked by
- Siân GwenllianPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 15 days
Question
What action is the Cabinet Secretary taking in response to the trends seen in the ONS’ price index of private rents data over the last 12 month which suggest that rents increased faster in Wales than anywhere else in the UK, including by more than 20 per cent in Newport?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
ONS data shows that while average rents have increased, Wales continues to have the lowest average rents in the United Kingdom.
Our ‘White Paper on securing a path to adequate housing, including fair rents, and affordability’ set out the need for better data on rent to inform future policy interventions. The Summary of Responses and Next Steps to the White Paper, published on 16th July 2025, sets out the actions being taken to improve rent data.
Welsh Government also continues to invest in Leasing Scheme Wales, with all 22 local authorities now signed up to the scheme. The scheme provides tenants with greater security of tenure, affordable rent and support.