Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Social and Affordable Housing

Monday 23 February 2026 · 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

  • Rachael Maskell questioned the Minister about increasing the proportion of social and affordable housing in York Central.
  • The Minister responded by stating their commitment to the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in recent memory.
  • Gagan Mohindra asked about local plans for identifying and building affordable homes in South West Hertfordshire.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Housing
Context

The question addresses the need to increase social and affordable housing within York's ambitious development plans, specifically York Central.

Question

What steps he is taking to help increase the proportion of social and affordable housing in new developments. To honour our commitment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation, we have backed registered providers with the biggest social and affordable housing investment in recent memory. Although there is more to do, we have already taken steps to strengthen the existing developer contribution system to ensure that new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

To honour our commitment to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation, we have backed registered providers with the biggest social and affordable housing investment in recent memory. Although there is more to do, we have already taken steps to strengthen the existing developer contribution system to ensure that new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a meeting with Homes England and setting out concrete steps was not addressed directly.

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Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Housing
Context

The question highlights the disparity between affordable and non-affordable housing in York, aiming for a balanced approach that meets local needs.

Question

York Central will create 12,500 new jobs and 3,000 new homes in phase 1, which will be before the planning committee in May. Just 20% is allocated to affordable housing, but there must be an ambition for 40% because York has one of the worst housing affordability disparities in the country. We must reach that target, or our housing crisis will worsen. Will the Minister meet me to discuss York Central and set out what steps he will take with Homes England to ensure that we do not just achieve housing numbers, but meet local need?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

We need to build many more homes of all tenures, but it is absolutely right to stress the importance of delivering a significant uplift in the number of social and affordable homes. I am aware that discussions are ongoing about increasing the proportion of affordable housing within the York Central scheme. I encourage the developer to work with Homes England and relevant registered providers to maximise the potential for social and affordable housing in its first phase. I am more than happy to ensure that my hon. Friend gets an appointment at one of my forthcoming Tea Room surgeries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While indicating willingness to meet, specific steps with Homes England were not explicitly detailed.

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Q3 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Housing
Context

The question criticises the Liberal Democrat Three Rivers district council for delays in delivering their local plan, which is crucial for identifying affordable homes.

Question

As the House will know, local plans are the method by which we can identify affordable homes and make sure that they are built in the right place at the right time. Since I was elected back in December 2019, I have consistently asked the Liberal Democrat Three Rivers district council to get on with the local plan. However, as the Housing Minister will know, the latest version of that plan did not have sufficient evidence. He has therefore rightly called it in. Does he agree that the Lib Dems need to get on with delivering the local plan and that they should not continue to fail my residents in South West Hertfordshire?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

The hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot discuss any specific local plan. However, in general terms I would say that any party that controls any local planning authority across the country must take active and firm steps to get up-to-date local plans in place. They are the best way for local communities to shape development. Without them, communities are open to speculative development that does not have resident input. That is why we are pushing for universal coverage across the country.

Not addressed: The specific question about Three Rivers' local plan was avoided by discussing general terms of local planning authorities.

How: General Discussion

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