Housing minister unable to reveal affordable homes target despite emphasis on social rent

In response, the housing minister said he could not reveal a precise number on how many of the government’s intended 1.5 million homes will be affordable, but emphasised the MHCLG wanted to “maximise the delivery of social rented homes”.

He said: “We can’t put a precise number on it at the moment, for the following reasons. We expect to see many, many more social and affordable homes come through developer contributions. Our golden rules that apply to the release of land through the green belt will ensure that proportion rises, that 15 per cent premium on local affordable housing rates.

“But affordable provision is partly related to grant funding from government and we will set out details of future investment in next year’s multi-year Spending Review, along with what the successor programme to the Affordable Homes Programme looks like, and the precise split between social rented homes and other forms of tenure. But we’ve been very clear we want to maximise the delivery of social rented homes.”

Florence Eshalomi, who has been chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee since September, asked if the housing minister could outline and assure that local councils will see a “significant increase” in the Affordable Housing Programme next year to allow them to meet the government’s target on tackling the housing crisis.

“As I’ve said, in relation to future investment in affordable housing and social rented homes, we’ll set out details in the multi-year Spending Review next year, but we do want to prioritise the delivery of social rented homes, given the important role they play in addressing the housing crisis and resolving the particularly acute end of that housing crisis in the form of temporary accommodation,” Mr Pennycook said.

On the updated NPPF, Mr Pennycook said the government was confident that the revised framework it was introducing today will support “significantly higher rates of housebuilding and sustained economic growth”.

He said: “We have listened carefully to the views expressed in the consultation and have adjusted several areas of policy accordingly. Now it is for others to do their part. Developers must turn supportive words into action, bringing forward new sites and building them out at pace.

“Local authorities must embrace the challenge of higher targets and push for more and better development in their areas.”

Mr Pennycook added: “We have moved fast. We have not held back. We have not shied away from controversial decisions, nor wavered in the face of those who have sought to chip away at our resolve. With focus and determination, we have pushed on to ensure we are putting in place a planning system geared toward meeting housing need in full and unleashing economic growth.

“Change will take time. Homes are not built overnight, and our dire inheritance means that the climb out of the trough we are in will be a steep one, but by implementing this revised framework today, we have taken another decisive step toward a future in which everyone will enjoy a decent, safe, secure and affordable home in which to live.”