The previous Labour Government left this country with a housing crisis. In 2010, housebuilding had reached its lowest level since the 1920s, the number of homes available for social rent had decreased by 420,000 and the number of people on social housing waiting lists had increased from 1 million to 1.8 million.
Significant progress has been made in the last five years to tackle this crisis. Over 700,000 homes have been delivered since 2010, including over 270,000 affordable homes. I understand that still more can be done and I believe that the Housing and Planning Bill will help us achieve this.
I think it is beneficial that the Bill will increase the pace of housebuilding through planning permission in principle and the brownfield registers. The Starter Homes programme will see thousands of homes built specifically for first time buyers at a price that they can afford. The requirement to introduce local plans will also ensure that local people have a say on where development takes place in their area.
By Patrick McLoughlin on January 20, 2016