17
Rejected
We asked the Department how it would ensure that its approach delivered the right kind...
Conclusion
We asked the Department how it would ensure that its approach delivered the right kind of homes in the right places.44 We heard from the Department about a range of other actions it is pursuing: • It wants its planning reforms to encourage more small and medium-sized developers to be building homes.45 • It will promote more zero-carbon homes through the Future Homes Standard.46 • It is reviewing the release of public sector land for building.47 • It is considering its response to the recent consultation on the Housing Delivery Test, and how to align local targets for housing with the national ambition for 300,000 new homes per year.48
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagreed with the (misidentified) recommendation, stating it is transparent about its housing objectives and progress, and highlighted existing funding and reforms, including the Planning for the Future White Paper, aimed at increasing housing supply.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
3.1 The government disagrees with this recommendation. 3.2 The department has and continues to be transparent about its objectives, and the progress towards them. In June 2019, the department published its latest Single Department Plan, including strategic objectives to increase supply. The Departmental Plan will be updated in line with the wider timetable, to be agreed with Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. The department publishes quarterly data on the progress towards raising net housing supply to 300,000 a year, meeting Conservative Party manifesto commitments. 3.3 This government is determined to level up opportunities across the country, building the homes this country needs. 3.4 The department has made significant progress having delivered over 1.8 million new homes since 2010, including 508,000 affordable homes and around 244,000 additional homes last year - the highest level in over 30 years. 3.5 COVID-19 and associated economic conditions have significantly impacted supply. To support house building, the government announced initial funding of £7.1 billion for a new National Home Building Fund, unlocking up to 860,000 homes. This includes £2.2 billion of new loan finance to support housebuilders across the country. 3.6 This forms part of the nearly £20 billion in multi-year capital investment announced in the 2020 Spending Review, including the new £11.5bn Affordable Homes Programme will provide up to 180,000 new homes. 3.7 The Planning for the Future White Paper in August 2020 proposed reforms to streamline and modernise the planning process, with enough land and the long-term conditions for increased supply.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
Starter Homes
Report
Thirty-first Report - Starter Homes
09 Dec 2020
HC 88
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.6 yrs
Report published
09 Dec 2020