Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Rented Housing

Monday 27 March 2023 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is investing 11.5 billion in the affordable homes programme to deliver new affordable homes, with a significant portion for social rent.
  • Government aims to increase the proportion of new homes for social rent through reprofiling the affordable homes programme.
  • Department is working with local authorities, including North West Leicestershire, to deliver social homes using the affordable homes programme and right-to-buy receipts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Lightwood Labour (Co-op) Wakefield and Rothwell
Housing
Context

The provision of social rented housing is under scrutiny.

Question

What steps he is taking to increase the provision of social rented housing. Everyone should have access to a high-quality and safe affordable home, but there are concerns about the current provision of social rented housing.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government is investing £11.5 billion in the affordable homes programme to deliver tens of thousands of new affordable homes, and a significant proportion will be made available for social rent directly helping those most in need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how many social rent homes would be built or when.

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Q2 Alan Whitehead Lab
Housing
Context

There is a significant gap between the number of new social rent homes needed and those built in England last year.

Question

What figure between 6,400 and 100,000 does the Secretary of State think would be acceptable for developing social and rented housing? The hon. Gentleman believes that about 100,000 new social rent homes are needed every year.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government aims to increase the proportion of new homes for social rent through reprofiling the affordable homes programme. The actual number was closer to 30,000 overall last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a concrete figure between 6,400 and 100,000.

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Q3 Simon Lightwood Labour (Co-op) Wakefield and Rothwell
Housing Local Government
Context

The Public Accounts Committee concluded that targets were being missed, high-demand areas were not prioritised, and savings from reducing temporary accommodation were not assessed.

Question

When will the Government step in to help councils address the social housing shortage? The council is using hotels such as Citilodge for homeless people due to a lack of funding and resources for social housing.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Government will continue to work with local government on increasing supply. The affordable homes programme is critical, but following the shadow Front Bench's economic prescriptions would not make such funds available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a timeline for intervention.

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Q4 Andrew Bridgen Con
Housing
Context

North West Leicestershire District Council committed to hundreds of additional houses for social rent.

Question

How is his Department going to help the council deliver on its commitment? The Conservative group at North West Leicestershire has already committed to hundreds of additional houses for social rent.

Answer from Michael Gove

The Department is working with local authorities, including North West Leicestershire. The affordable homes programme and use of right-to-buy receipts are critical for delivering social homes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify the exact support measures or timeline.

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