Glasgow City Region funding boost will support social landlords and tenants to adopt and benefit from new technology
Glasgow City Region is to receive £348,000 in funding from the UK Government’s Regulatory Innovation Office to develop specific guidelines which will enable social landlords across the whole of the UK to deploy sensor technology that will improve tenants experience and save them time and money.
Announced at the recent UK Government Regional Investment Summit, the funding through the fourth round of the UK Government Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is for 16 projects that are designed to cut through existing red tape and enable the faster roll-out of new technology in UK.
Glasgow City Region’s funding will be used to develop a practical handbook to help social landlords to use sensor-based technology (such as damp and mould detection, environmental monitoring, and connected care) safely and lawfully, enabling widespread innovation in housing services while safeguarding tenant rights.
The exercise will be underpinned by a comprehensive review of the regulatory landscape and engagement with key stakeholders, including social landlords, regulators, and tenant representatives.
A spokesperson at Glasgow City Region said:
“We welcome this additional funding that will build on innovative work already underway through our Smart and Connected Social Places programme to harness the power of connectivity, digital and data to transform services and improve lives. So, it is entirely fitting that Glasgow will lead on delivering bespoke guidance that will support the extended roll-out of sensor-based technology across the whole of the UK.”
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“Every day across the country new products are being invented that have the potential to transform lives and revolutionise public services.
“But all too often, we are held back from taking advantage of them by red tape that simply hasn’t kept pace with the scientific and technological advances.
“That’s why we’re backing our regulators to work together with industry, to make the rules fit for purpose, and unlock breakthroughs that will deliver national renewal by driving our economy forwards faster, easier, and safely.”
Glasgow’s 5G Innovation Region programme is currently piloting sensor solutions in housing and care settings where engagement with local authorities, housing associations, and technology providers has repeatedly highlighted the lack of clear legal guidance.
The approach is innovative in that currently no accessible guidance is available for landlords around the complex regulatory requirements associated with these technologies, which involves data protection, housing standards, and tenant rights.
This has created uncertainty, slowed adoption of new technology and ultimately limited the potential benefits of the sensor-solutions for tenants and service providers.
While the legal advice will primarily serve the eight local authorities and their housing associations within Glasgow City Region, the guidance will be made publicly available for use by other local authorities and housing providers, ensuring wider impact and replication across the UK.
The project supports Glasgow City Region’s ambition to improve housing quality, tackle damp and mould, address fuel poverty, and enhance digital inclusion through innovative technologies.
It will enable local social landlords to adopt technology that improves tenant wellbeing, reduces maintenance costs, and supports proactive asset management. Additionally, it will create a replicable model that can inform policy and practice across Scotland and the wider UK, providing clarity for innovators and suppliers, reducing uncertainty for landlords, and ensuring tenants can benefit from technology while their rights are safeguarded.
The work also supports Scottish Government priorities, including Housing to 2040, which calls for warm, safe, digitally‑enabled homes and the Digital Strategy for Scotland, which emphasises driving digital innovation to improve public services and outcomes for citizens.
The project will be launched and delivered over an 8-month period.