Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Increasing Housing Supply: Local Communities

Monday 24 January 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department announced an additional 1.8 billion for housing supply.
  • Local communities must have input in the planning process for housing developments.
  • Minister committed to meeting MPs to discuss ways to balance home ownership and social housing rental stock.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the need to increase housing supply in line with local community needs.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing supply increases in line with the needs and wishes of local communities?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

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.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about constituents excluded from the right to buy scheme due to living in so-called rural locations.

Question

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?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or concrete actions for addressing rural area issues were not provided.

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Q3 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Housing
Context

The MP references a concern about second home ownership by wealthy individuals, particularly Harry Styles' potential purchase of an expensive property.

Question

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?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request was not fully addressed; no commitment on ensuring every family has a first home.

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