Increasing Housing Supply Local Communities 2022-01-24
2022-01-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the need to increase housing supply in line with local community needs.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing supply increases in line with the needs and wishes of local communities?
Building homes is key to levelling up, and an additional £1.8 billion for housing supply was announced at the last spending review, delivering £10 billion-worth of investment since the start of this Parliament and unlocking over 1 million new homes. Local communities must have input in the planning process, which we recognise as part of our reforms.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about constituents excluded from the right to buy scheme due to living in so-called rural locations.
Would the Minister or the Secretary of State meet me and other MPs with constituents in similar situations to find a way forward that both enables people to own their own homes and ensures that the level of housing stock for rent from social landlords is maintained?
We are committed to enabling tenants in social housing to acquire their own home through right to buy or right to acquire, and have helped nearly 2 million tenants become homeowners. There are particular issues in some rural areas, and I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend and his colleagues to discuss how we can ensure those people have the opportunity of home ownership.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or concrete actions for addressing rural area issues were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references a concern about second home ownership by wealthy individuals, particularly Harry Styles' potential purchase of an expensive property.
Will the Minister look seriously at ensuring every west country family can have a first home, not just have a region full of second homes for those who can afford one?
We are determined to ensure there are homes available for people to buy, including in holiday hotspots like the west country. We have introduced policies such as First Homes, closed loopholes allowing abuse of second home properties, and aim to build more homes to ensure opportunities for ownership.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request was not fully addressed; no commitment on ensuring every family has a first home.
Response accuracy