Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Areas: Housing Provision

Monday 20 February 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government's affordable homes programme is delivering thousands of homes in rural communities in England with a budget of 11.5 billion.
  • The Government recognises the potential of the community-led housing sector but did not provide specific details on supporting community land trusts in south Devon.
  • Since 2010, over 243,000 affordable homes have been provided in rural areas across England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anthony Mangnall
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question addresses the lack of affordable homes in rural locations, where stock is limited and often difficult to replace.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the provision of housing in rural areas. We want affordable homes available anywhere people need them, especially in rural communities with limited stock.

Answer from Rachel Maclean

Our £11.5 billion affordable homes programme is delivering thousands of affordable homes across rural communities in England. This programme aims to support those who need them most, including in locations where stock is limited and often difficult to replace.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on how the government will address the unique challenges of rural housing provision are lacking.

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Q2 Anthony Mangnall
Housing
Context

The question highlights the potential of community-led housing initiatives to address local housing needs.

Question

Could the Minister outline how we can do better to support community land trusts in south Devon to build the houses that local people need, on a primary residency basis?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government agree with the comments and recognise that the community-led housing sector offers significant potential. However, specific details on how to better support community land trusts in south Devon are not provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or initiatives for supporting community land trusts in South Devon were not detailed.

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Q3 Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The questioner raises concerns about the Government's failure to meet their target of building 13,000 new rural affordable homes, and highlights the erosion of social housing stock.

Question

Over a quarter of a million people in rural England are on a housing waiting list, yet the Government is on course to miss even the paltry target of 13,000 new rural affordable homes. At the same time, data shows that 14,110 social homes were lost last year. Are Ministers failing to provide rural and urban communities with genuinely affordable rented homes?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

No, we are not failing. Since 2010, more than 243,000 affordable homes have been provided in rural areas across England. We acknowledge the need to address the planning system and aim to level up with affordable housing in both urban and rural areas.

Not addressed: The specific target of 13,000 new rural affordable homes was not addressed directly.

How: Changing Subject

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