Labour MP Betts bids to remain as housing committee chair

Under the previous government, it was known as the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee. 

The committee is responsible for scrutinising the policy, administration and spending of the government department. 

Nominations from MPs must be submitted by 4pm on 9 September and the ballot is scheduled for 11 September.

Since 2010, most committee chairs have been elected by the whole House of Commons using a system of alternative vote and by secret ballot.

Nominations must contain a signed statement by the candidate, declaring willingness to stand. They must also be accompanied by a certain number of original signatures of members elected to the House, from the same party as the candidate.

Fifteen signatures are required for Labour Party candidates.

Speaking at Housing 2024 in Manchester in June this year, Mr Betts made a fresh call for reforms to the land value capture system to help with the delivery of 90,000 social homes a year.

In May, the select committee published its report on its inquiry into the finances and sustainability of the social housing sector. 

It concluded that “properly motivated and regulated” private investors present a “real opportunity” for building social housing and encouraged the government to assess the role private investment can play in meeting net zero.

In June, the select committee published its Disabled people in the housing sector report, which concluded that a minimum accessibility standard for new homes must be introduced “as soon as possible”.

Mr Betts has been an MP since 1992. Before that, he was the leader of Sheffield City Council for five years.