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Building Homes
30 July 2024
Lead MP
Angela Rayner
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyHousing
Other Contributors: 37
At a Glance
Angela Rayner raised concerns about building homes in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister, Angela Rayner, began her statement by expressing condolences for the incident in Southport and emphasised the Labour Government's commitment to tackling Britain’s housing crisis. She outlined a plan to deliver economic growth through increased house building, aiming to create jobs and improve public services. The current housing situation is dire: 150,000 children are in temporary accommodation, nearly 1.3 million households are on social housing waiting lists, under-30s have less than half the home ownership rate compared to the 90's, and rents are up by 8.6%. The previous Government failed to meet targets, with actual new homes built falling below 200,000 this year from a target of 300,000 homes per year. Labour plans include mandatory local housing targets rising from some 300,000 to just over 370,000 homes annually, changing the standard method for calculating housing need, and making significant reforms to planning rules on green belt release with new golden rules requiring a minimum of 50% affordable housing. She also mentioned the council house revolution aiming to build 1.5 million homes, including measures to boost social and affordable housing. The Government will introduce flexibilities in the current affordable homes programme, consult on right to buy reforms, allocate £450m for local authority housing fund, and streamline infrastructure development processes.
Kemi Badenoch
Con
North West Essex
Question
The Shadow Minister asked about Labour's inconsistency in deadlines for updating the National Planning Policy Framework, questioning how they will manage multiple changes to planning policies, and expressed concerns over reduced housing need calculations specifically for London. She also questioned the practicality of implementing these changes without creating years of uncertainty.
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct answer but emphasised the urgency of addressing the housing crisis and stated that while they understand the complexity involved, their aim is to ensure local authorities can plan effectively within a stable framework. She reiterated the need for ambitious yet realistic targets and stressed that reforms are necessary to drive economic growth.
Angela Watkinson
Con
Hazel Grove
Question
The MP questioned how the new planning rules will impact rural areas, specifically focusing on local authorities being forced to take on housing needs while dealing with reduced school populations and potential grey belt definitions.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the complexities but emphasised that reforms aim to balance urban and rural development needs. She assured that any changes would be carefully considered to ensure they are practical for all areas.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough
Question
Asked about the importance of brownfield land development and how it fits into the overall strategy.
Minister reply
The Minister highlighted the priority given to developing brownfield land as part of a strategic approach, emphasising that this is only part of the solution. She committed to creating more strategic systems for green-belt release to make it work effectively.
Kemi Badenoch
Con
North West Essex
Question
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I echo the comments by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the incident in Southport. We on the Conservative Benches send our deepest condolences to the families impacted. After listening to the right hon. Lady’s statement, I have many questions. I hope that she will provide written answers within a month for the questions she cannot answer today. The Labour party has a mandate but must be clear about their plans and address concerns of councillors and local residents. They need to understand and allocate funding needed for this plan. Why is Labour briefing that NPPF updates will be before the end of the year, which contradicts their own deadline? How will they conduct a meaningful consultation over the summer holidays when there were 2,600 responses in previous consultations? What legal challenges are they prepared for with multiple changes to planning policy? Will these changes create years of uncertainty?
Minister reply
Let me start by welcoming the right hon. Lady to her place and wish her luck for her leadership campaign. The British people kicked the Conservatives out due to economic failures, trashed public services, and failed housing targets year after year. On NPPF consultation, it starts today for eight weeks because we mean business post-Tory Government disaster. We will work with Homes England to make affordable homes grant more flexible.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Welcomed the minister's statement and asked two questions: first, about mandatory housing targets and proper needs assessment for local authorities; secondly, about land value capture to benefit public purse and reduce cost of building homes.
Minister reply
Confirmed that urban uplift figures will be removed, new method will give councils certainty, and land value capture is in the consultation document.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Question
Asked about local plans needing to start again under the new system, green belt assessments being done again, specific target for social homes, compulsory purchase compensation review, local authorities borrowing to invest and enforce infrastructure requirements, and protection of green belt land.
Minister reply
Explained that transition will be fair to those with advanced local plans, reviewed number of social homes and affordable homes grant in consultation document, strengthening planning through additional local planners and section 106.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Question
Asked about commitment to good-quality, affordable family houses including council houses under proposals.
Minister reply
Stressed the need for more social housing due to 14 years of Tory policies leading to a crisis in social and affordable housing.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
Asked when local plan based on local housing need will be required to reopen assessment under new algorithm and when target becomes mandatory.
Minister reply
Councils with up-to-date plans will not have to start again, but next update will require adjustment based on the new method.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
Question
Welcomed the review into higher discounts imposed by previous Government under right-to-buy scheme and asked for a rapid review.
Minister reply
Confirmed that it will be a rapid review to address the discounts which make replacing social housing stock difficult.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Expressed concern over announcement placing pressure on local services in south-east, where house prices are high.
Minister reply
Emphasised that the new method is based on stock and affordability, and encouraged engagement with local authorities to build homes.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Question
Thanked the Secretary of State for her statement, welcoming the acknowledgment that new developments on green-belt land must include necessary facilities. Asked what steps will be taken to ensure local communities can hold developers accountable for habitat protection and open spaces.
Minister reply
Acknowledged Labour's 'brownfield first' policy and strict golden rules for grey-belt land release, supporting local authorities to make the best use of section 106 notices. Promised stronger proposals in NPPF revisions to ensure affordable housing while protecting natural spaces.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
Asked for confirmation that neighbourhood plans will remain supreme and not be overridden by planning inspectors, and whether protected landscapes will retain significant protection.
Minister reply
Confirmed that protections for neighbourhood plans and natural beauty areas would remain intact. Emphasised the importance of releasing grey-belt land responsibly to benefit local spaces.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Question
Welcomed the statement, acknowledging Milton Keynes' housing struggles and calling for new community development with city council support.
Minister reply
Welcomed Emily Darlington to her place and expressed eagerness to collaborate on delivering essential housing in Milton Keynes.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Inquired about the proposal to remove protections for agricultural land used for food production from the NPPF, despite UK's decreased self-sufficiency in food.
Minister reply
Asserted that existing guidance on high-grade agricultural land already provides necessary protection.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Gateshead Central and Whickham
Question
Congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister, urged collaboration with Labour mayors and councillors to ensure proper development in needed areas.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of local consultation and engagement, stating that voters demanded change for the housing crisis.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Question
Critiqued the policy's top-down approach as divisive, questioned funding availability for required infrastructure.
Minister reply
Rejected claims of a new policy approach, stating national targets have always existed. Highlighted importance of local housing needs.
Jo White
Lab
Bassetlaw
Question
Asked how section 106 funding could be reformed to better support infrastructure spending.
Minister reply
Congratulated Jo White on her work and promised to strengthen section 106 provisions, providing local authorities with necessary resources.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
Requested Secretary of State's support for funding the A10-West Winch housing access road in King’s Lynn.
Minister reply
Encouraged use of local plans and section 106 provisions, offered to engage through the Minister on specific issues.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
Expressed support for the Government's plan to address housing affordability and overcrowding in Luton North.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the urgency of addressing temporary accommodation and homelessness, promising swift action.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
I welcome the news of a council house revolution, and we all know that the Deputy Prime Minister is a little bit of an expert when it comes to council housing, but can she confirm that priority will be given to British families, veterans and pensioners?
Minister reply
We have confirmed that people with a local connection will get priority over those homes. The hon. Gentleman tries to make a quip about the fact that I grew up in a council house, but although people used to talk about my childhood as if I grew up in poverty, there are many kids today who would think they had won the lottery if they got a council house. Those children today cannot have that, so we will build the homes, we will prioritise so that people locally can get them and we will make sure that first-time buyers get first dibs.
Ben Goldsborough
Lab
South Norfolk
Question
Residents in Hethersett, Mulbarton and Loddon have sadly had their fingers burnt by the old planning policies that were in place under the previous Government. Can my right hon. Friend give me assurances that section 106 will be strengthened to ensure that public infrastructure will be in place so that our new housing is accessible for everyone and gives them the resources they need to live a very happy life?
Minister reply
Parts of this consultation look at how we can strengthen section 106, and we want to do that in conjunction with local authorities. As I mentioned in my statement, we are also bringing forward, at a later date through this Parliament, measures on strategic planning and the planning and infrastructure Bill.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Question
I am no nimby, but what we are seeing today is a lurch back to top-down mandatory targets that will ride roughshod through local communities such as those that I represent across Aldridge-Brownhills, and through local decision making. I do agree with the Deputy Prime Minister, though, when she says that the first port of call must be brownfield land, so will she confirm that she will give full financing to brownfield land remediation and reclamation?
Minister reply
We think we can use brownfield funding better, but this is not about riding roughshod over local decisions and what local people want; having mandatory housing targets and plans means that people will be able to decide. What we are saying, and what we said at the general election, is that we will build 1.5 million homes.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
This has to be the most important statement I have heard since being in the House. York has really suffered from the proliferation of luxury accommodation, second homes and short-term holiday lets, so I very much welcome this statement. Where developers have plans in the system, what steps can be taken to ensure that we pivot to hit the targets for the affordable and social housing that we desperately need right now?
Minister reply
I absolutely agree that we desperately need affordable homes. It depends on where my hon. Friend’s local authority is in the process, but we will be setting out the targets, which are likely to be increased for her area, so that the local authority can engage in the process.
Andrew George
Lib Dem
St Ives
Question
I strongly endorse the sentiment and purpose of the Secretary of State’s policy statement. She will be aware that, as others have said, the planning system is fuelled by greed, rather than need. Cornwall is not nimby—it is one of the fastest-growing places in the United Kingdom and has almost trebled its housing stock in the last 60 years—yet local people’s housing problems have got worse, so my question to the Secretary of State is this. House building targets are a means to an end, so would it not be far better in places such as Cornwall if those targets were set to address the need, rather than simply allowing developers to fill their boots?
Minister reply
That is what the new formula does. We are trying to assess the need in areas, taking particular account of their current stock, but also of affordability; I suspect that Cornwall has a particular challenge with that as well.
Helena Dollimore
Lab Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Question
In my constituency, we are at the sharp end of the housing crisis, and we desperately need more affordable homes and more council homes, so I really welcome today’s statement. The Conservative party may behave like this is a zero-sum game between building more desperately needed homes and protecting the environment, but Labour Members know that that is not the case. What approach will the new Government take to ensure that we have sustainable development, so that we protect our environment, ensure that we have the necessary infrastructure, including sewage pipes, and prevent flooding, while building the homes that my constituents so desperately need?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend to her place. She is absolutely right, and her question builds on one that I answered previously. We have to protect our green belt, and the proposals we are putting forward do that.
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Question
It is good to see you in that Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am not sure whether the Secretary of State has discussed her proposals with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs or the National Farmers Union, but the answer she gave on food production was risible. What she has announced today is effectively a recipe for disposing of the land that will be needed to feed our children and grandchildren. Just before she goes ahead with that, will she tell the House how many planning consents that have been granted are sitting there unbuilt-out? Should we not use those first?
Minister reply
I say to the right hon. Gentleman with absolute respect that he should please read the consultation. We think that we do support our agriculture, which accounts for just over 10% of land—the best and most versatile land.
Olivia Bailey
Lab
Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Question
I welcome the twin ambitions the Secretary of State has set out today: to get Britain building in order to provide the homes we need, and to make sure that we have the infrastructure required to support them, such as schools and GP surgeries. Those ambitions are of equal importance, and we cannot have one without the other. On social and affordable housing, will she confirm that the aim of her package is to go net-positive, so that the number of social rent homes rises rather than falls, and to achieve that in the first year of this Parliament?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend to her place. It will be a challenge, but we are desperate to try to meet that challenge as quickly as we can.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
I welcome you to the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I welcome the Secretary of State to her new role. I appreciate that she will not have time today to wax lyrical about her vision of aesthetics or to expand at length on the relationship between truth and beauty. Nevertheless, given the welcome reference in her announcement to proportionality and to the link between the existing built environment and the scale of development, will she also take into account the character and style of development? She may know that I have served on the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and in the Office for Place. Will she agree to meet the Office for Place to discuss beauty?
Minister reply
I absolutely agree with everything the right hon. Gentleman says. The Minister of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Matthew Pennycook), will shortly meet all the stakeholders, and I think he has a meeting in the coming days with those the right hon. Gentleman just mentioned.
Naushabah Khan
Lab
Gillingham and Rainham
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for her statement and for the focus she has rightly put on delivering genuinely affordable homes, which will provide much needed housing security to many of my constituents. Recognising some of the immediate homelessness challenges felt by local authorities, will she detail how the plans she has announced today will relieve pressures that lead to homelessness, and on temporary accommodation?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to talk about homelessness and the pressures that local authorities face. This issue feels particularly personal because of the number of stories I have heard regarding homelessness and housing issues. We need to tackle this crisis at a local, regional and parliamentary level with 50% of new homes being affordable.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Question
Many residents in my constituency find themselves priced out due to unaffordable housing. I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement on affordable housing, but how many of the 1.5 million homes pledged will be affordable? In particular, how many are expected to be council homes? How do we address one million empty homes?
Minister reply
It is difficult to set out specific figures at a local level due to section 106 agreements and local plans but 50% of housing built on the grey belt must be affordable. The Ministry will consult on how developers cannot use land costs as an excuse for negotiating down their section 106 contributions.
Hitchin
Question
The Deputy Prime Minister is aware of the extent to which the planning system fails communities. Will she reassure my constituents that her golden rules will ensure brownfield and greyfield sites are prioritised, and infrastructure and affordability are addressed?
Minister reply
Brownfield should always be the first port of call for development under the NPPF, with measures taken to limit developers' ability to game the system. The release of grey belt land must also follow our golden rules.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
The Secretary of State approved an appeal by Envar Composting regarding a proposed medical waste incinerator despite local opposition. Given NHS England’s 2023 clinical waste strategy, why approve this against local wishes? Will she meet residents to hear their concerns?
Minister reply
Decisions are made based on the evidence and advice provided. I have not personally dealt with that specific case but decisions will be objective.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Question
I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister’s plan to build homes reflecting local views. Will she give an update on plans to tackle second homes, particularly in Cornwall?
Minister reply
The NPPF aims to address housing targets but a significant number of measures were announced in the King's Speech to address wider issues.
Maldon
Question
An additional 3,000 homes are being built in Maldon and Heybridge, with more proposed but local infrastructure is under pressure. What will the Secretary of State do to ensure necessary infrastructure precedes development?
Minister reply
The golden rules recognise that infrastructure is critical for development acceptance and we support strengthening section 106 to hold developers accountable.
Emma Foody
Lab Co-op
Cramlington and Killingworth
Question
This should be about building communities, not just homes. Residents in my constituency are left on incomplete estates for too long. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that both social and physical infrastructure must be delivered early and developers held accountable?
Minister reply
Absolutely, we need to fix the issue of developer obligations and ensure infrastructure is there alongside houses.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The Deputy Prime Minister has outlined housing needs but what can be done to help people get mortgages in Northern Ireland, where those earning £40,000-£45,000 have no chance?
Minister reply
We propose a mortgage guarantee scheme and the new deal for working people will ensure jobs that pay well enough so people can afford homes.
Shadow Comment
Kemi Badenoch
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Minister, Kemi Badenoch, questioned the Labour Government’s plans regarding their inconsistency in deadlines (e.g., changing from a 100-day to an end-of-year update for the National Planning Policy Framework), their consultation process during summer holidays, and how they will manage multiple planning changes. She also raised concerns about reduced housing need calculations for London and how this could affect other urban areas while forcing suburban/rural areas to take on more housing development. The shadow minister questioned the definition of 'grey belt' and its impact on green belt purposes, as well as the potential reduction in right-to-buy options. Additionally, she pointed out the lack of respect for local decision-making and councillor concerns over mandatory housing targets, grey space sacrifices, penalties for mayors who fail to meet requirements, and the disregard for community preferences regarding home aesthetics.
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