Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Affordable Housing

Monday 10 July 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to increasing affordable housing through a 11.5 billion programme in England.
  • Chesterfield Borough Council, under Labour control, receives significant Government grant funding for affordable housing.
  • Local authorities are expected to collaborate in tackling homelessness and supporting vulnerable people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the adequacy of affordable housing provision in Chesterfield and England, citing a significant decline in new social rented homes under Conservative governance.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of affordable housing provision in (a) Chesterfield and (b) England? Under the Conservatives, the number of new social rented homes fell by over 80%, with 27,000 fewer homes built yearly than under Labour. Mortgage holders face highest interest rates in a generation.

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The Government are committed to increasing affordable housing through their £11.5 billion programme, delivering tens of thousands of homes for sale and rent across England. Chesterfield Borough Council is under Labour control with significant Government grant funding to deliver affordable housing locally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy assessment was not directly addressed; focused on government efforts and local council's role instead.

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Q2 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Housing
Context

The MP continues to question the adequacy of affordable housing, highlighting a significant reduction in social rented homes and challenging the government's impact on both renters and buyers.

Question

Under the Conservatives, new social rented homes fell by over 80%, with 27,000 fewer yearly than under Labour. Renters and buyers cannot afford another year of this Tory Government. Is the amount of affordable housing adequate?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

Chesterfield Borough Council, controlled by Labour with significant Government grant funding, is responsible for delivering affordable housing. It's up to Chesterfield Labour council and developers to ensure planning obligations meet local needs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The adequacy of current provision was not directly addressed; instead focused on the responsibility of the local authority.

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Q3 Tom Hunt
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the regional issue of homeless people being sent to Ipswich from neighbouring areas, suggesting it's not fair for these authorities to shirk their responsibilities.

Question

A lack of affordable housing contributes to homelessness. While proud of what Ipswich does through organisations like the Ipswich Housing Action Group, I am concerned that neighbouring authorities send their homeless people to Ipswich. Do those authorities have a responsibility to tackle homelessness in their own areas? Can Labour-led councils stop this from happening?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

We expect local authorities to work together on tackling homelessness, alleviating pressures on vulnerable people. It is right for Labour-led councils to collaborate with any authority responsible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The direct responsibility of other areas was not confirmed; instead focused on expected collaboration between councils.

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