Grŵp Gwybodaeth Tai, 27 Tachwedd 2025: cofnodion

• Jennie Bibbings (JB), Welsh Parliament
• Hannah Browne-Gott (HBG), Welsh Government
• Lauren Caley (LC), Shelter Cymru
• Emily Church (EC), CLA Cymru
• Cerys Clark (CC), CIH Cymru
• Hannah Crackett (HC), Tai Pawb
• Einion Dafydd (ED), Welsh Government
• Joni Denne-Loader (JDL), Welsh Government
• Rachel Dolman (RD), Welsh Government
• Gareth Dudley-Jones (GD), Welsh Government
• Mark Edwards (ME), Neath Port Talbot Council
• Sheilla Ferraz-Luz (SFL), Welsh Government
• Holly Flynn (HF), Welsh Government
• Gwennan Hardy (GH), Welsh Parliament
• Mark Harris (MH), Home Builders Federation Ltd
• Sarah Hosken-Jones (SHJ), Housemark
• Chele Howard (CH), Neath Port Talbot Council
• Jayne Israel (JI), Bron Afon
• Judith Jenkins (JJ), Conwy Council
• Ben Lewis (BL), Welsh Government
• Elliw Llyr (EL), Cyngor Ynys Môn
• Matt Miller (MM), Carmarthenshire County Council
• Christina Paddock (CP), Office for National Statistics (ONS)
• Liam Richards (LR), Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
• Nia Roblin (NR), United Welsh Housing Association
• James Strangis (JS), Welsh Government
• Debbie Thomas (DT), Crisis
• Zach Thompson (ZT), Scottish Government
• Tony Wilkins (TW), Welsh Government
• Lowri Wyn Morton (LW), Cyngor Gwynedd

Speakers

• Scott Armstrong (SA), Welsh Government
• Chauncey Glass (CG), Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Byrony Haynes (BH), Community Housing Cymru Group
• Luned Jones (LJ), Welsh Government
• Dave Roberts (DR), Welsh Government
• Bob Smith (BS), Cardiff University
• Alison Stout  (AS), Scottish Government
• Joanna Valentine (JV), Welsh Government (Chair)
• Gowan Watkins (GW), Welsh Government

Note taker

• Oliver Jameson (OJ), Welsh Government

Apologies

• Richard Davies, Welsh Government
• Sion Elwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd
• Catherine  Evans, ONS
• Luke McConnon-Smith, Bron Afon
• Hayley Randall, Data Cymru
• Louise Woodfine, NHS Wales
• Gillian Young, NewHaven Research

JV welcomed everyone and introduced the agenda.

We did not reach the quota for simultaneous translation so the meeting will be held in English. 

Presentations will be circulated / published following the meeting (provided the presenters have consented). 

GW from the Statistical Services Division provided an update on the forthcoming Welsh Housing Survey, scheduled for 2027-28. GW began by outlining the purpose and scope of a housing condition survey, explaining that it involves a visual, non-invasive inspection of homes across all tenures and types, conducted by qualified surveyors. The main output is a comprehensive assessment of housing quality in Wales, which is essential for producing statutory fuel poverty estimates and informing decarbonisation and quality standards.

GW emphasised that, while administrative data is increasingly used in housing research, it is not currently sufficient to replace the survey due to coverage and data quality limitations. The survey will therefore remain the primary source for certain key information; particularly detailed household income data collected via social questions to the head of household.

Since the last survey in 2017-18, the team has engaged with stakeholders to review data needs and priorities, including a deep dive with housing and regeneration colleagues. The new survey will address three main requirements: fuel poverty, decarbonisation, and housing quality. It will be a full housing survey, covering both physical and social aspects, with results expected in December 2028. The aim is to achieve a larger sample size than previous years, enabling regional (and potentially local authority) level estimates.

The mode for the physical survey will follow established practice, while the social survey mode is yet to be confirmed, with online-first approaches under consideration to maximise demographic reach and participation. The team is working closely with the Equalities Evidence Unit to ensure robust demographic data collection.

Project management structures have been established, including a project board and technical advisory group with representation from other UK nations, internal experts, and academics. Stakeholder engagement is ongoing, with an expanded list to ensure broad input on topics and priorities. GW invited attendees to suggest additional groups or organisations for engagement.

Initial work with procurement colleagues has begun, and various survey methodologies are being considered, with a draft design due for technical review shortly. The team is also consulting with Public Health Wales and other government departments to ensure the survey meets a wide range of evidence needs, while managing expectations regarding scope and funding.

The intention is to make the Welsh Housing Survey a regular, periodic exercise (potentially every five years), subject to approval and funding. The content of the social survey is still under development, and further work is required to finalise the survey mode and procurement arrangements.

In summary, the Welsh Housing Survey 2027-28 will provide essential evidence on housing conditions and social factors across all tenures in Wales, supporting policy development in areas such as fuel poverty, decarbonisation, and housing quality.

CG presented an overview of the use and impact of housing condition surveys in England and Scotland.

England

The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous, accredited official statistics programme that combines household interviews (approximately 15 minutes each) with physical property inspections. Each year, around 15,000 households are approached, with a 65% response rate resulting in about 8,000 inspections. The physical inspection typically lasts two hours.

The EHS is a critical source for fuel poverty statistics and provides some of the only available data on housing quality issues. Data from the survey is published through the UK Data Service, with two headline reports, 7 to 8 topical annual reports, and around 70 live tables. The statistics produced inform policy advice and development.

In addition to regular outputs, the EHS supports a range of ad hoc analyses, such as market value surveys and the English Private Landlord Survey. The data is used extensively in policy development, including tracking housing quality over time and modelling the impact of legislation such as Awaab’s Law (addressing dangerous damp and mould). The survey also contributed to the response to the Grenfell Tower fire, providing data on cladding and fire safety, and supporting focus groups on resident safety in high-rise buildings.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EHS was supplemented with additional resources to monitor changes in household relationships and well-being. The survey is also a key evidence source for monitoring and evaluating major programmes, such as the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Recent innovations include the use of machine learning models to estimate home quality at lower cost, and the introduction of mixed-mode data collection (including online-first approaches). In 2024 to 2025, the EHS moved to an assumed consent model for data matching, enabling improved data quality through higher rates of data linkage.

Scotland

AS, Scottish Household Survey Manager, explained that the Scottish House Condition Survey is now integrated within the broader Scottish Household Survey, which reports annually using face-to-face interviews. The house condition component is the largest project of its kind in Scotland and is the only source examining both the physical and social conditions of homes.

The survey covers at least 80 homes per local authority, with data pooled over three years to ensure robust estimates. There are two main publications: the Housing Condition Survey (covering dwelling age, type, size, heating, energy efficiency, fuel poverty, disrepair, and crowding) and the Household Survey (covering tenure, household characteristics, financial management, housing satisfaction, aspirations, barriers to moving, waiting lists, and adaptations).

Combining the condition survey with the household survey has improved efficiency and breadth of coverage, although not all respondents receive the same modules.

LJ provided an update on the recent developments and usage of StatsWales. In August, 160 users from Welsh Government, WRA, and MEDR registered as publishers, with a live beta launch following in September 2025. StatsWales now hosts 286 datasets across 11 categories, and the open API is seeing strong uptake.

SA gave a demonstration of the platform, highlighting that users can visit stats.gov.wales to access data. Users are encouraged to use filters to focus on specific data values and reduce the volume of data being viewed or compared at once. Datasets can be downloaded in full or in filtered form, in a variety of formats, for further analysis.

For general information about any dataset, users can refer to the “About this dataset” page. SA noted that no new data is being added to the old StatsWales (SW2) platform, and all data will be migrated to the new system by Spring 2026.

Development is ongoing, including a new function to pivot data and create custom tables for easier data viewing. Feedback from users is encouraged, and there are opportunities to participate in user research (see links in Annex).

Action 1: Register your interest in taking part in StatsWales feedback

DR provided an overview and demonstration of DataMapWales, a central platform for public sector data in Wales. The platform currently hosts around 650 open datasets, with over 2,000 additional datasets available with restricted access, covering a wide range of public sector areas.

Users can access maps in both English and Welsh, with options for various map styles including traditional, black and white, and satellite views. The platform offers high-resolution mapping (currently 12.5cm, with plans to move to 5cm resolution), updated every two years.

Datasets can be visualised directly on the map, with the ability to filter by attributes or regions of interest. Data values can also be exported in CSV format for further analysis. National geographic data is available to the public sector, and users can view information such as new housing developments and other geographic features.

Discussion

MM asked about the availability of certain datasets that are accessible elsewhere but not currently on DataMapWales, particularly those that are not sensitive.

DR responded that while not all datasets are currently available on the platform, additional datasets can be added upon request, especially if they are straightforward to keep up to date.

JB inquired about how to add maps from DataMapWales into documents.

DR clarified that maps can be exported for inclusion in documents such as PDFs.

There are also methods for embedding maps into websites and exporting data in other spatial formats.

DR encouraged feedback and suggestions for additional datasets or features, highlighting the platform’s flexibility and ongoing development.

Action 2: Members to use DataMapWales and if possible, provide feedback.

For support contact the DataMapWales support mailbox: DMWsupport@gov.wales 

BH presented findings from a multi-phase allocations research study, aimed at improving understanding of social housing allocations and homelessness in Wales. The study was commissioned in partnership with WLGA and Welsh Government in 2023, as part of a broader commitment to strengthen the homelessness data landscape.

BH highlighted that allocations are only one part of the wider housing ecosystem and not a quick solution to the housing crisis, as each household’s needs and circumstances are unique. The research sought to answer three key questions (as set out in the slides), using data on allocations up to October 2023. The study included retrospective analysis of tenancy sustainment at 6 and 12-month intervals.

Main findings

• The sample was expanded in Phase 2 to improve demographic coverage and test the robustness of earlier findings.
• There was a decrease in the proportion of households at risk of homelessness in the next 6 months (down to 12% from 20% in Phase 1).
• 46% of allocated households included someone with a disability (including hidden and learning disabilities), with many cases involving mental health, neurological, or learning disabilities.
• 23% of participants did not disclose ethnicity, but the majority of those who did were White.
• Employment status varied: 30% of lead tenants were employed, while just under 50% were unemployed.
• Mental health support and third sector involvement were identified as key areas for further research.

Tenancy sustainment (Phase 3)

• 99% of households remained in their allocated property after 6 months, and 97% after 12 months.
• Where tenancies ended, there were clear reasons (e.g., moving to permanent accommodation, health deterioration, or employment).
• 73% of households received some form of support from their housing association, with 20% receiving multiple types of support. Around half of all households had some form of disability.

The findings were broadly consistent with Welsh Government research, though some local authorities reported greater challenges. BH concluded by emphasising the importance of housing associations having access to the right information to make effective allocation decisions.

BS provided an update on the Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CACHE). CACHE is a research consortium led by the University of Glasgow, working in partnership with a range of academic institutions and organisations to improve understanding of housing issues across the UK.

The update highlighted CACHE’s role in producing evidence-based research to inform housing policy and practice. Current work focuses on key themes such as housing and the economy, housing inequalities, housing and the environment, and housing in place. The consortium also undertakes comparative research drawing on international evidence.

BS noted that CACHE publishes regular reports, blogs, and short papers, and links to these resources were included in the circulated paper. The update also referenced ongoing projects, including a major urban retrofit programme and forthcoming papers on evidence-based priorities for the next Welsh Government.

Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2025 publication

WIMD 2025 was published today (27 November 2025). The release includes reports, guidance, and updates on DataMapWales and StatsWales. A publication schedule is available on the Welsh Government website.

Webinars on WIMD 2025 will be held on:

• 2 December 2025, 10:00 to 11:00
• 4 December 2025, 14:00 to 15:00

For information or to register for WIMD webinars contact:
stats.inclusion@gov.wales

Consultation on Welsh Government Statistical Outputs

A consultation has been launched on proposed changes to statistical outputs as part of a transformation programme. The aim is to ensure outputs remain relevant and accessible while improving efficiency.

The consultation closes 11 February 2026.

Census 2031 Topic Consultation

The ONS has opened a consultation on Census 2031 topics, closing 4 February 2026.

Welsh Government is also working on updated national estimates of additional housing need, expected early 2026.

Action 3: Members to review consultation on proposed changes to statistical outputs and ONS consultation on Census 2031 topics.

JV thanked all presenters and attendees. 

The next HIG meeting/seminar is planned for the morning of 24 March 2026.

Any ideas for the agenda, or if you’d like to present, please email KASevents@gov.wales. 

Action 1: Members to use the StatsWales and if possible, provide feedback. Register interest for feedback on StatsWales.

Action 2: Members to use DataMapWales and if possible, provide feedback.

Action 3: Members to review consultation on proposed changes to statistical outputs and ONS consultation on Census 2031 topics.

Alison Stout (Scottish Government)

Understanding the Housing Aspirations of People in Scotland - gov.scot

Byrony Haynes (Community Housing Cymru)

Phase 2 of Housing Allocation research

Phase 3: Tenancy Sustainment of Housing Allocation research