Social Housing Supply 2024-09-02
2024-09-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP from Harlow is concerned about the lack of social housing and asks what steps are being taken to increase its availability.
What steps her Department is taking to increase the supply of social housing?
The Government are committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation. In 59 days, proposed changes to the national planning policy framework have been made to support this objective and new flexibilities for councils and housing associations have been confirmed.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP from Harlow discusses the previous Government's consultation and seeks confirmation that damaging proposals will not be pursued.
In their dying days, the previous Government consulted on changes to how social housing is allocated. These were described as 'unnecessary, unenforceable and unjust'. Can my hon. Friend confirm that this Government will not be taking forward those damaging proposals?
The Government have published a formal response to the consultation setting out why they will not take those proposals forward. The Government agree that social housing should be allocated fairly and efficiently, but argue these proposals were deeply flawed.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP from Basildon and Billericay questions why the Government are proposing to reduce the number of new homes in London by 17,000 a year.
Why is this Government now proposing to reduce the number of new homes in London by 17,000 a year and areas around London by 18,000 a year? Surely we need to increase that supply of social housing, particularly in London?
The changes relate to the national planning policy framework rather than social housing specifically. The Government are setting a realistic but achievable target for London, as the previous urban uplift was unrealistic and unachievable.
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Assessment & feedback
specific reasons for reducing new home numbers were not provided
Referring To National Planning Policy Framework
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP from Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner inquires about the process leading to prioritising removal of green-belt protections.
What led the Government to prioritise removing green-belt protections rather than building the 1.4 million new homes with planning consent already granted?
The changes aim to encourage the release of lower-quality grey belt land within the green belt while ensuring stalled sites are moved forward with additional support.
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Assessment & feedback
specific reasons for prioritising removal over home construction were not given
Referring To Changes In National Planning Policy Framework
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP from Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner asks about measures to increase the take-up of approaches enabling local authorities to create new council housing.
What measures do the Government have in mind to increase the take-up of this approach by our local authorities?
The Government are committed to working with councils, providing more flexibility for right-to-buy receipts and allocating an additional £450 million to secure homes for families at risk of homelessness. Plans will be set out at the next fiscal event.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP from North Shropshire raises the issue of local councils buying land at current value rather than hope value to deliver social housing.
Will the Minister consider reforming the Land Conservation Act so that local councils can buy land at current value and get on with delivering the social housing we need?
The Government agree further reform is needed, particularly in connection with compulsory purchase orders. They will enact changes from the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 and consult on further reforms.
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Assessment & feedback
specific details about current value land purchases were not provided
Referring To Existing Legislative Measures
Response accuracy